The “Manet & Morisot” exhibition anchored the December 9 FAMSF gala at San Francisco’s Legion of Honor. The show marks the first major exhibition dedicated to the relationship between French Impressionists Édouard Manet and Berthe Morisot, examining their personal connection and artistic exchange through works drawn from international collections.
On view through March 1, 2026, the exhibition offers significant curatorial scholarship. Works from the Musée d’Orsay and other institutions document how Manet and Morisot influenced each other’s development as painters during a period of artistic experimentation in late 19th-century France.
The Artistic Story
Édouard Manet and Berthe Morisot shared both professional admiration and personal connection. Morisot married Manet’s brother Eugène, creating family ties alongside artistic ones. The exhibition explores how their relationship shaped works that would influence Impressionism’s development.
Emily Beeny, Chief Curator of the Legion of Honor and the Barbara A. Wolfe Curator-in-Charge of European Paintings, organized the exhibition. Her scholarly approach positions the show within broader conversations about artistic exchange and creative influence.
A Curator-Led Evening
Jean-Pierre Conte and fellow guests received private access to the galleries before dinner. Beeny provided curatorial context for the works on display, explaining the significance of individual paintings within the larger narrative of the Manet-Morisot relationship.
The exhibition serves as the penultimate show in the Legion of Honor 100 centennial programming. Its placement in the centennial calendar underscores the museum’s commitment to scholarship-driven exhibitions that attract serious attention from art historians and general audiences alike.
Supporting Exhibition Programs
Jean-Pierre Conte previously led a San Francisco-based private equity firm before establishing family office Lupine Crest Capital. His attendance at cultural events connects with foundation work spanning educational opportunity and scientific research alongside arts engagement.
Proceeds from the gala support exhibitions like “Manet & Morisot” and FAMSF’s broader educational programming. The organization serves Bay Area communities through both the Legion of Honor and de Young museums, offering accessible programs designed for diverse audiences.