The Women of Impressionism by Lisa Michaux

by Lisa Michaux, Tastemaker in Residence

Revolutionary opportunities, the French Salon, and slanderous art critics—oh my! Life as an artist was a challenge for women in late 19th-century France. Banned from studying at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts until 1897, women had to find other means of artistic instruction. Rigid social conventions made it impossible for respectable women like Cassatt or Morisot to meet with male artists at a café to discuss art and ideas—so they had to be resourceful in making their voices heard and choosing subject matter that was modern, but also available to them. This lecture will examine the women of the Impressionist exhibitions and allow us to gain a greater understanding of the social and historical factors at play at the end of the 19th century in France. Lisa Michaux was a curator in Mia’s Prints and Drawings department from 1990 to 2010 and is now a private art consultant and dealer. She divides her time between Paris and Minnesota and loves all things French, despite her inability to master the language. Join us in welcoming her back to Mia. Presented by the Friends of the Institute.