Choice 评论

Internationally recognized European historian and educator Shennan, author of many fine academic books, discovered impressionist artist Berthe Morisot (1841-95) through a reproduction of Edouard Manet's famous 1870 portrait of her, Le Repose. The result is this absorbing biography, well researched and written over a number of years. Although not an art historian, Shennan acknowledges the influence of several art historical standards, including Germaine Greer's The Obstacle Race (CH, Apr'80) and Rozsika Parker and Griselda Pollock's Old Mistresses (Ch, Jul'82). Pollock contributes a six-page foreword on the current state of biographical art history, drawing on anthropology, psychoanalysis, and "post-poststructuralist interest in the singular social and personal experience as a necessary complement to the study of art...." Shennan tracks Morisot's personality and professional career nearly from month to month. The book has much fascinating collateral material on France during these important years. There are many new details on political events and the personalities of many of the artists Morisot knew. Nevertheless, the volume falls short of being truly definitive. At times it leaps from fact to hyperbole. Woven as a major thread into Shennan's text is Morisot's presumed overarching obsession with Edouard Manet, who became her brother-in-law. Morisot may deservedly take her place as the first lady of impressionism, as Shennan asserts. But one has to weigh this assertion against another: that it was Edouard Manet "whose genius was her inspiration." Highly recommended. General; upper-division undergraduate through professional. M. Hamel-Schwulst; Towson State University