Men have dominated the art world for hundreds of years. Men created most of the world-famous paintings, and the most well-known artists throughout history are also typically men.
That’s not because women “aren’t as good” at art. The truth is that throughout most of human history, women were oppressed, subjugated, and regaled to the home, where they were unable to participate in artistic endeavors.
Today, in honor of women’s history month, we celebrate these female artists, past and present, who have either impacted our cultural attitudes towards art or who are becoming famed artists as we speak!
Van Hemessen is a Felmish Renaissance painter who is widely regarded as the first painter, male or female, to create a self-portrait of themselves seated in front of an easel.
A contemporary of Michelangelo, Anguissola served as a tutor for the Spanish queen, Elizabeth of Valois. She impressed even Michelangelo with her talent.
Frida Khalo was a Mexican artist best known for her self-portraits that often contained surrealist images alongside the realistic portrait. She was the first Mexican artist ever featured in the Louvre’s collection.