Review of With Violets by Elizabeth Robards

With Violets

by Elizabeth Robards

I like to read the 'Author's Insights' section found in Avon paperbacks before reading the book. I then ask myself a couple of questions based on the title, author's impressions and the informational book blurb found on the back or inside cover of a book. These help me focus and get more out of the book.

Here were my pre-reading questions:
Why is the book titled "With Violets"?
Look for how letters are used to progress the plot?
Impressionism and this story?

The story spans the early years of French Impressionism art from 1868 through 1875 and is set primarily in Paris. This is a "what if" book. Elizabeth Robards has chosen to embellish the love she senses was between Berthe Morisot and Eduardo Manet. "... Although historians have searched, there is no indication that Manet and Morisot were ever more than good friends. Indeed, the fact that Berthe married Manet's brother Eugene implies that their affections were more fraternal than matrimonial." ~Jennifer Paine essay "Berthe Morisot: Mirror of the Bourgeoisie". However, biographer Jeffrey Meyers shares author Elizabeth Robards interpretation of the relationship between Manet and Morisot.

 Berthe Morisot worked out of her home. Unlike Renoir, Manet, Monet, or Degas, her workrooms were not part of the public space of the house. They were at the back of the house where at the end of the day, she would hide her paints and brushes. This was all in keeping with the feminine lifestyle of an upper class woman in the mid to late 19th century. The subjects in her art clearly reflect her background. She does not paint the Moulin Rouge, Bistros or restaurants.

My favorite scene in this book is where Eduardo Manet paints over a large portion of a family portrait of Eduardo slumped on a sofa while staring out in a bored manner while his wife Suzanne plays the piano painted by gifted artist Degas. It highlights the conflicts and competition felt by these great artists. It also reflects the sad nowhere ness of a relationship between Berthe Morisot and Eduardo Manet.

The author Elizabeth Robards does a deft job using 'correspondence' by Berthe to promote the plot of this book. It is here the reader gets a feel of the inner Morisot and the close relationship she has with her sister Edme.

But why "With Violets"? During the 1800s knowing the meaning and language of flowers became increasingly popular. Victorian women especially picked up the silent language that allowed them to communicate feelings and meanings that the strict propriety of the times would not allow. In France violets became popular because they were Napoleon's favorite flower. Violets symbolized modesty, faithfulness and dedication.

Reading WITH VIOLETS was like stepping into an Impressionist landscape. It is slightly out of focus, does not explain the times or scenery and leaves the reader with just an impression of what might have been.

Related Links

Berthe Morisot Biography -- The Speed Art Museum

http://www.speedmuseum.org/morisot_artist.html

Berthe Morisot: Mirror of the Bourgeoisie
Essay written by Jennifer Payne

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Aegean/7023/BertheMorisot.html

Berthe Morisot Online

http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/morisot_berthe.html

Berthe Morisot - Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berthe_Morisot

Berthe Morisot, Who Manned The Canvas
By Blake Gopnik, Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9685-2005Jan14.html

Portrait of a Woman, Berthe Morisot (c1872)
Jonathan Jones
The Guardian Newspaper, UK

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2001/aug/18/art

Impressionist Quartet: The Intimate Genius of Manet and Morisot, Degas and Cassatt by Jeffrey Meyers -- Book Review, San Diego Union-Tribune

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050909/news_1c09book.html

The Impressionists - Berthe Morisot Biography

http://www.biography.com/impressionists/morisot-bio.jsp

My Weblog - Elizabeth Robards

http://www.nancyrobardsthompson.typepad.com/