Berthe Morisot and Expectations of Women Artists: A Fuller Discussion of Woman at Her Toilette

Peyton Espley–Jones

Advisor: Dr. Michael Charlesworth

Abstract

In popular scholarship covering her life and in the visual analyses of her painting Woman at Her Toilette, the expectation of Berthe Morisot is evident: intrinsic femininity. Due to both sexist and feminist biases, the discussions surrounding Morisot’s life, innovative work, and key role as a 19th century French Impressionist are often abbreviated for the purpose of a homogenous narrative. But, Morisot’s complex roles as both a woman of the Parisian bourgeoisie society and a professional artist presented unique freedoms, restrictions, and connections that influenced her artistic practice. Therefore, in this thesis, I will be challenging the assumptions about Morisot’s worth in feminist scholarship and possession of the female gaze in order to conduct a comprehensive visual analysis of her work Woman at Her Toilette. Proving then, that Woman at Her Toilette is not merely a consequence of Morisot’s biology, but a painting that is skillfully crafted in structure and colour harmony.