Celebrating Women: Artists from the 17th Century to Today

By Emma Hapner, March 11, 2024

As many of you know, on Friday, March 8th, we celebrated International Women’s Day! As a focal point in the women’s rights movement, this day addresses the push for gender equality while highlighting the accomplishments of women everywhere. What better way to continue the celebrating than to look at some of the most inspirational and talented artists (who also happen to be women) throughout history.

Artemisia Gentileschi, *Judith Slaying Holofernes*, 1620

Let’s start in 17th century Italy with one of the most accomplished artists of the time, Artemisia Gentileschi. Born in Rome in 1593, Gentileschi studied painting under her father, and began producing professional work by age 15. When her father realized that her painting skills had surpassed his own, he hired the painter Agostino Tassi as her teacher. In 1612, Tassi raped Gentileschi, and after a long and painful trial, Tassi was found guilty and “banished” from Rome, but it wasn’t enforced.

This event had a tremendously negative impact on Artemisia Gentileschi’s reputation, and the artist suffered from gossip that branded her a promiscuous woman, so she married and moved to Florence where she established herself as a successful independent artist. Her work was inspired by many different aspects of her life including sexual violence, but also motherhood, passion, and professional ambition. Gentileschi is considered one of the most talented painters of the 17th Century and an essential part of the Baroque movement.

Mary Cassatt, *Woman with a Sunflower*, 1905

Another tremendously talented woman who is essential to our understanding of art history is Mary Cassatt, an American painter who was a notable member of the Impressionists. Cassatt studied art in Paris, and even had her work exhibited at the Paris Salon. While in France, she became the only American artist associated with the group of (mostly male) artists known as the Impressionists and befriended Edgar Degas. Degas was very impressed with her work and has been quoted saying “I never knew a woman could draw so well.” Nice.

Cassatt was known to be a fierce supporter of women’s rights and used her work to support this cause. Her work Mother and Child, also known as Woman with a Sunflower is a great example. The sunflower was the official symbol of the National American Woman Suffrage Association and often appeared on various suffrage promotional material. This painting by Cassatt was included in an exhibition in 1915 to raise money for the campaign for women’s rights. In a 1914 letter to a friend, Cassatt wrote, “If the world is to be saved, it will be the women who save it.”

Crucial to the celebration and acknowledgement of female artists throughout history is the iconic Frida Kahlo. Born in Mexico in 1907, Kahlo is known for her brightly colored self-portraits that confront themes of pain, passion, and identity. She was also known for her tumultuous relationship with muralist Diego Rivera. In 1925 Frida Kahlo was involved in a bus accident, which so seriously injured her that she had to undergo more than 30 medical operations in her lifetime. During her slow recovery, Kahlo taught herself to paint and studied the art of the Old Masters.

Despite the hardship she faced, Frida Kahlo became one of the most inspirational and well-known artists of all time. She frequently challenged traditional gender roles, often dressing in male clothing. She disregarded beauty norms by embracing her unibrow and mustache. Frida Kahlo was fearlessly herself, embracing her own identity and telling her own unique story, that in turn supported the rights of women everywhere

Just as important as the historical figures we recognize, are the women working around us every day. One contemporary artist I greatly admire is Anna Park. Originally born in South Korea and now living and working in New York City, Park has seen great success in the artworld. Her iconic charcoal drawings balance figuration and abstraction, the familiar with the unknown. From the visual chaos emerges a compelling narrative, composed through Park’s gestural linework and use of chiaroscuro. Often working at at a large scale, Anna Park’s drawings are both skillful and powerful.

Ellie Kayu Ng, *My Train of Thought,* 2023

Another admirable and talented artist to note is Ellie Kayu Ng, an oil painter based in Brooklyn. Ellie creates highly detailed paintings with a technical mastery that explores the language of clothing. As an immigrant, she often felt the need to dress to blend in, but in her paintings, she is free to express herself freely, through gorgeous clothing and jewelry that she could not own or wear in her daily life. This celebration of beauty, fashion, and self-expression is truly inspiring.

One last incredible contemporary artist to highlight is Lisa Roggenbuck, a painter and professor based in Boise, Idaho, making work referencing the historical nude, female sexuality, and body objectification, while also using color as a strategy to convey gender and the privilege given to a Caucasian appearance. Roggenbucks work addresses the disconnect women can experience with their bodies by adhering to the standards of beauty that are imposed upon them in western culture. With a stylized approach that draws our attention to color and pattern, each painting is an attentive commentary on our society today.

Sources:

https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/eascfa/dinner_party/place_settings/artemisia_gentileschi

https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/artists/artemisia-gentileschi

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Frida-Kahlo

https://www.nga.gov/blog/cassatt-suffragist-symbolism.html

Featured Artists:

Anna park

IG: @annaparkart

Ellie Kayu Ng

IG: @eille_

Lisa Roggenbuck

IG: @lisaroggenbuck