Morisot and Cassatt the Exploration of Female Identity in the 19th Century

Abstract

This paper explores the limitations of church and social influence on women in Europe prior to the 19th century. The author argues that the decline of the domestic economy in the mid-18th century made domestic work more associated with women, leaving most women unable to pursue elite professions such as music, dance, and art. During this period, influenced by the patriarchal social concept, most women did not have the opportunity to pursue these industries, but spent a lot of time and energy in the family, becoming slaves to the family and children. However, the birth of Impressionism reduced the constraints and restrictions of the academic art style and promoted the rise of female artists in the 19th century. This paper will compare the themes, perspectives and self-cognition of the two artists, Berrit Morisot and Mary Cassatt, to show that under the influence of Enlightenment thought, the two artists integrated female identity and family into their painting career, but expressed their different identities.