-
Period: 500 to 1400
The Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, women had limited opportunities in the arts due to strict social and religious roles, but they still found ways to contribute. Most couldn’t train as professional artists, but many nuns created beautiful illuminated manuscripts and textiles in convents. Women were also major subjects in religious art, often portrayed as saints or the Virgin Mary. Some noblewomen, like Hildegard of Bingen, supported the arts as patrons. -
Period: 1450 to
The Renaissance
During the Renaissance, women started to appear more in the art world, but it wasn’t easy. Most female artists came from wealthy or artistic families, which gave them rare access to training. Artists like Sofonisba Anguissola proved that women could be just as talented as men, even if they had to fight harder to be taken seriously. Many women also supported the arts as patrons, helping shape culture behind the scenes. Despite the challenges, their impact still stands today. -
Period: to
18th Century
In the 18th century, women artists faced many challenges but still made important contributions to the art world. Most came from wealthy or artistic families that allowed them to train and work. They often specialized in portraiture and pastel painting. Artists like Rosalba Carriera and Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun gained fame for their skill and unique styles. Despite social limits, these women helped pave the way for future generations of female artists. -
Period: to
19th Century
In the 19th century, women artists faced major barriers, limited training, exclusion from academics, and social expectations to focus on home life. Still, as Whitney Chadwick notes in Women, Art, and Society, many created powerful work within acceptable genres like portraiture or domestic scenes. Artists like Mary Cassatt and Rosa Bonheur pushed boundaries, challenging norms through art. Their persistence helped pave the way for future generations of women in art. -
Period: to
20th Century (America)
In 20th-century America, women artists fought for visibility in a male-dominated art world. They challenged traditional roles and helped shape major movements like Abstract Expressionism and Feminist Art. Artists like Georgia O’Keeffe and Lee Krasner used bold, personal styles to express identity, emotion, and power. Their work not only broke artistic boundaries but also opened doors for future generations of women in American art. -
Period: to
20th Century (Europe)
In 20th-century Europe, women artists broke away from traditional roles and began shaping modern art movements like Dada, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism. As Whitney Chadwick explains, they used art to explore identity, gender, and politics, often challenging male-dominated spaces. Despite ongoing struggles for recognition, artists like Paula Modersohn-Becker and Suzanne Valadon made bold, innovative work that redefined what women could express through art.