Looking for books about women Impressionists

November 2, 2024 8:57 PM

I saw an exhibit on the Impressionists and their immediate artistic successors (e.g., the Nabis) this weekend. It occurred to me that while I've read some basic books on the Impressionists, like Ross King on the decade leading up to Impressionism's birth, I have not read any books on the women Impressionists: Cassat and Morisot for sure, but there was at least one other woman whose paintings appeared in this exhibit. I'd like to fill my TBR for next year with books by and about women, so this seems like a good subject for books.

I'm not looking for googled recommendations, though if you've got reviews for a book you've read I would gratefully read them. I would prefer books that you have actually read, or anti-recommendations for books you tossed over your shoulder in disgust if that's a thing. Ideally these books would be in print for purchase or something I could reasonably find at my library. Women authors preferred but not required. Thanks in advance for suggestions within these parameters!

posted by gentlyepigrams to Society & Culture (6 answers total)

Best answer: I like Griseldela Pollock's book on Cassat, and htis review: https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v21/n08/linda-nochlin/plucking-the-fruits-of-knowledge
posted by PinkMoose at 9:36 PM on November 2

Best answer: I'm not very knowledgeable about art but I learned a lot from The History of Art Without Men by Katy Hessel. I'm sure it must have had a chapter on Impressionists. Plus the references could probably find you more good resources.
posted by carolr at 5:57 AM on November 3 [4 favorites]

Best answer: Came in to recommend Katy Hessel's the History of Art. I have heard her speak and read her book. Amazing.
Hessel also has a podcast
posted by 15L06 at 6:29 AM on November 3

Best answer: NMWA.org is my go-to for women artists, but their new website for their library is a bit hard to navigate. Of course Mary Cassett is well known, and there is Berte Morisot, Anne Archer (Danish), Lila Cabot Perry, but I don’t know if any of them have a stand-alone book or fictionalization like Anita de Monte Laughs Last (not an Impressionist). I hope this gets you closer to what you’re looking for.
posted by childofTethys at 12:51 AM on November 4

Best answer: You may want to check out the Post-Impressionists - and particularly Vanessa Bell, who was the sister of Virgina Woolf. The definitive biography is by Frances Spalding.
posted by TheCassiniDivision at 5:42 AM on November 4

Response by poster: All these answers are very helpful, thanks! I have a lot to dive into!
posted by gentlyepigrams at 10:45 PM on November 18