From Artemisia Gentileschi to Tracy Emin, women have been pursuing professional careers as artists. We will be focusing on the contributions made by women to all traditional subject matter: history painting, portraiture, still life and flower painting. Particular attention will be given to the obstacles faced by women throughout the centuries in their efforts to be accepted into the male-dominated world of the academies, patronage, and artistic practice in general.
In spite of such problems, many female portraitists in earlier centuries attracted the patronage of European monarchies and carved careers for themselves as court painters. During the 17th and 18th centuries, artists such as Angelica Kauffman and Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun gained celebrity status, acclaimed not only for their art but also their beauty. Being defined by their femininity rather than their art was the most contentious issue for women, to be taken up in earnest by the feminist movement in the 20th century, and the debate continues today.
In addition to these aspects, we will also discuss the innovative techniques and approaches taken by women artists, most particularly in relation to their involvement with art movements in the 20th century when, along with their male counterparts, they break all boundaries in pursuit of new subject matter.
