Women in Art

St. Catherine of Bologna

1463

St. Catherine of Bologna was a nun in the Middle ages and died in 1463. She was made the patron Saint of Art. She created many works of portraits of other saints, meditated while writing scripture, and many other works of art.

Portrait of a Noblewoman

1580

https://nmwa.org/art/collection/portrait-noblewoman/ Born in 1552, Lavinia was supported by her husband, a fellow painter.
Became more known after being commissioned to paint Pope Paul V.
Her portrait gave great detail in clothing and jewels. She painted oil on canvas.

Clara Peeters

1620

"Still Life of Fish and Cat" Painted a oil on panel
Used detail in lots of textures of the fish scales, hairs on the cat, lighting from the metal plate, against details of fish.
It has been assumed that she studied under Osias Beert, but this is not confirmed. Not much in known about her studies.

Elisabetta Sirani

1662

"The Dream of St. Anthony of Padua" Elisabetta Sirani was a Baroque style artist who learned from her father. Initially her father was hesitant for her to study under him, but when he saw she had the talent, he relented. She then proceeded to excel over her father and sisters who were also painters. She became the main breadwinner for her family, and also became known for allowing women to study under her studio. She died suddenly at the age of 27.

Rachel Ruysch

1716

This painting was done by Rachel Ruysch who had an interesting life. She was supported by her parents and husband to paint. She focused mostly on flowers, and became one of the most well known Dutch painters, creating art for over 60 years. I like the beautiful detail in each painting, showing delicate detail of light color that nature can bring. She showcases that so well in her paintings.

Rosalba Carriera

1730

"America"
by Rosalba Carriera Rosalba was a Venetian born woman who commissioned work by many throughout Europe in the 18th Century. What I love about her is that she popularized the use of pastels in serious portraiture instead of just sketches. You can see in this portrait the use of pastels brings a softness to the woman's face. The iconography also shows the feathers and jewels in the portrait, displaying popular pieces of women's style at the time.

Adélaïde Labille Guiard

1785

This is a self portrait of the artist with two female students studying her work. The iconographic image is of the female students watching her and studying what she is doing. Historically we know that it was a struggle to get women in the art world. The image of the students watching her work is a bold statement showing that women not only belong in the art world, but that she is flaunting that she is as good of any man artist to be able to teach others how to become a better painter.

Elizabeth Louise Vigeé Le Brun

1788

This is a self portrait with Elizabeth's daughter, Julie. When the French Revolution was starting to take place, she fled to Italy with her daughter, leaving her husband behind. She used to study under her father who encouraged her to keep painting when he died when she was 12. She was able to paint many pictures for Marie-Antionette, and was able to gain status to enter the Royal Académie in 1783.

Fisher Girl of Picardy, Elizabeth Nourse

1889

This portrait displays a girl holding hands with a child bracing herself with the cold wind. The title says they are fishing. The darkness of the painting, as well as the brushstrokes show that the woman is facing a cold, windy day. Women in art are constantly showing me that they often upheld their duties with bravery and a "can do it" attitude. Working women are hard workers, and this painting displays her braving the cold and wind to get work done.

Harriet Powers

1895

Although this is an art piece of a quilt and not a painting it is a good piece of history. Harriet Powers was a slave, who created quilts after she was emancipated. Her quilts display an important piece of storytelling through her panels.

Gwen John

1907

A Corner of the Artist’s Room in Paris Gwen John was a Welsh artist who worked mostly in France. Her mother died at an early age, and after being raised by governesses, she studied art at the Slade School of Art. Her portraits were often done in only a couple of sittings, and have a relationship in the same tones. A Corner of the Artist’s Room in Paris displays her pride in her room. Its simplicity and elegance shows her pride of her work and where she was staying.

Hannah Hoch: Cut with the Kitchen Knife Through the Last Weimar

1920

Hannah Höch was an artist born in Germany in 1889. She was a large part of the art movement for women and their gender norms. She was also a part of being a “dada-ist” - a person in the art movement in the first World War; rebelling in the traditional sense of art. Hannah began to explore with paint, collage, and printwork to develop a style unique to that time period, and was one of the first artists known for photomontage.

Tamara de Lempicka

1927

This is a portrait Tamara de Lempicka created of her daughter, titled: "Kizette on the Balcony". Lempicka was famous for her art during the Art Deco period, and was known as the "Baroness with the Brush"

Berenice Abbott, Blossom Restaurant

1935

Born in Ohio, Abbott moved to NYC and studied painting. Became an assistant and moved to Paris, which led her to learn photography. She is best known for her pictures of New York Architecture. She was part of the 'straight photography' movement.

Snack Bar, Isabel Bishop

1959

What I love about Isabel is that she could be any woman, such as you or me. She decided to paint what she saw around her in everyday life; mostly the hustle and bustle around her of New York City. There is one etching called Snack Bar where it shows two women sitting over a diner countertop drinking. It is such a simple design, but shows feminine quality in the lines of the women, and the etchings in their face.

Blood Oranges, Patti Yunker

2010

This artist is special because she is my own mother. I grew up with her hunched over her art desk painting various portraits, going to the frame store to get her work matted, and going to the various art shows to display and sell her pieces. I never knew any different growing up. She specialized in art classes at the local community college, and continues to paint presently. She never became famous, but her passion for art continued, even while raising a family.