Dulwich Picture Gallery pays tribute to Berthe Morisot, the grand dame of Impressionism

From 31 March to 10 September 2023, the Dulwich Picture Gallery presents “Berthe Morisot: Impressionism and the 18th Century”, the first major UK exhibition of the renowned Impressionist since 1950.

Source: Dulwich Picture Gallery · Image: Berthe Morisot, “Eugène Manet on the Isle of Wigh”, 1875

In partnership with the Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris, it brings together 40 of Morisot’s most important works from international collections, many never seen before in the UK, to reveal the artist as a trailblazer of the movement as well as uncovering a previously untold connection between her work and 18th century culture, with around 20 works for comparison.

A founding member of the Impressionist group, Berthe Morisot (1841-1895) was known for her swiftly painted glimpses of contemporary life and intimate domestic scenes. She featured prominently in the Impressionist exhibitions and defied social norms to become one of the movement’s most influential figures. Now, in a bold new retelling of Morisot’s story, Dulwich Picture Gallery draws on new research and previously unpublished archival material from the Musée Marmottan Monet to trace the roots of her inspiration, revealing the ways in which Morisot engaged with 18th century art and culture, while also highlighting the originality of her artistic vision, which ultimately set her apart from her predecessors.

Highlights include “Eugène Manet on the Isle of Wight” (1875), painted while Morisot was on honeymoon in England, and her striking “Self-Portrait” (1885), which will appear alongside Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s “Young Woman” (c.1769) from Dulwich Picture Gallery’s collection. “Apollo revealing his divinity to the shepherdess Issé, after François Boucher” (1892), “In the Apple Tree” (1890) and “Julie Manet with her Greyhound Laerte” (1893), are among nine paintings on loan from the Musée Marmottan Monet, many receiving their first ever showing in the UK.

Jennifer Scott, Director of Dulwich Picture Gallery, said: “Morisot was an innovator and a leader of the Impressionist movement. We are excited to be working in partnership with Musée Marmottan Monet to bring a remarkable body of Morisot’s work to UK audiences, and to present ground-breaking comparisons to reveal the inspiration behind Impressionism itself.”