An Intimate Glimpse

Perspectives from The Artist's Road

Eugene Manet and His Daughter in the Gardens of Bougival by Berthe Morisot

We have been enjoying reading the wonderful book, Growing Up With the Impressionists: The Diary of Julie Manet. Although it is no longer easy to buy a copy of the book, we discovered it at a regional university library. Julie Manet was the daughter of impressionist painter, Berthe Morisot and Eugene Manet (brother of artist Edouard Manet).

Julie’s parents regularly entertained artists such as Pissarro, Degas, Renoir and Monet. Julie was allowed to be a part of these gatherings. She grew up being encouraged to see the world through an artist’s eyes, visiting museums and traveling. Sadly her father died when she was only fourteen and her mother when Julie was 17. The writer Mallarme became Julie’s guardian and the artists who had been a part of her parents’ lives circled her with support and generosity.

Fortunately for us, Julie Manet chose to write a diary about her unique upbringing - visits to the Monet house…