Berthe Morisot 1872

Editor: This small etching, "Berthe Morisot" by Edouard Manet, really captures a certain intensity. It's at the Harvard Art Museums, and the hatching gives it a kind of restless energy. What do you see in this portrait? Curator: It's fascinating how Manet portrays Morisot, a fellow Impressionist. He was not just capturing her likeness, but participating in constructing her public image as a modern woman artist. Editor: So, it's not just a portrait of a friend? Curator: Precisely. Consider how Manet’s artistic circle influenced both the portrayal and the reception of her work. The image circulates, shaping opinions, influencing the market and therefore her career. What do you think of the scale of the work? Editor: It's so intimate. It makes you feel like you're looking at something very personal. I hadn't thought about the public role of a portrait before. Curator: Indeed. Each element, from the technique to the subject's gaze, played into this larger cultural performance.