Women Artists: 1300–1900

The exhibition will present the artistic work of women from the Middle Ages to the end of the 19th century. Exhibited artworks will highlight the unique qualities of women’s work, particularly in painting, sculpture, drawing, and graphic art, as well as in the applied arts, revealing a lesser-known dimension within the history of art. Attention will be given to the description of the environment in which female artists worked; social connections and influences shaping their work and the themes women explored in their art.

For the first time, visitors will have a chance to see a comprehensive exhibition of female artists who were active in Central Europe, the Netherlands, and present-day Italy in the period 1300–1900. The exhibition is focused on this period because it marks a turning point in the status of women artists: they gradually gained access to art academies, and both aristocratic and urban women were actively engaging in art. Female artists were increasingly taking control of their careers, gradually establishing themselves professionally and socially. However, only a few were able to run an art studio like male artists.

The theme of the exhibition underscores a key message: while gender influences artistic expression and has historically limited women’s opportunities for recognition and education, what truly matters is talent, skill, and the determination to succeed in a still male-dominated world.

It may come as a surprise to some that women’s daring fantasies were already manifested during the medieval period, revealing how deeply religious women, especially nuns and monastics, harboured both erotic and maternal desires. Visitors will also be captivated by the stories of female painters from the Renaissance, many of whom were victims of violence and intrigue; the cruelty they endured was often reflected in their artistic work. Many sought to match the output of their male counterparts, proving that they were just as skilled, if not more so.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, numerous talented women made their mark north of the Alps, achieving success as scientists, painters, and travellers. A very inspiring story is that of Maria Sibylla Merian, who in 1699 undertook an adventurous expedition to Suriname to study insects. In the late 18th century and the early decades of the 19th century, several prominent female painters emerged, including Angelica Kauffmann, Barbara Krafft Steiner, and Amalie von Peter. Their paths were followed by other artists. Thanks to their talent, family support, and education, they were able to fully dedicate themselves to professional artistic creation, which brought them self-fulfilment, respect, and recognition.