Women of Impressionism: From French to American

In this lecture, ArtScapades begins with a very brief look at women over time in the art world. From the barriers they traditionally faced, to the effect of the changing times on women’s acceptance in male artistic circles, the lecture sets the scene for the women who found success in the French Impressionist style.

ArtScapades then looks at the lives and works of three women artists, two French, Marie Bracquemond and Berthe Morisot, and one American, Mary Cassatt, who despite being American, was considered a French Impressionist. All three broke through the restraints of society and exhibited works that were as innovative as those of their male counterparts.

Robin Hoffman and Jodi Stiffelman, of ArtScapades, began teaching art appreciation in 1998. They have presented at libraries, art centers, and museums in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Florida, and have been lecturing at New Canaan Library since 2010.