This week is International Women’s Day, when we celebrate the power of women and focus on creating an equal world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. With this year’s theme being #GiveToGain, I wanted to highlight some of the many women artists who made the path easier for the women artists who came after them (like me!) in a previously male-dominated field. It’s a reminder that just by showing up and taking up space, we can make a difference.
Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1656)
Artemisia Gentileschi is known for the famous quote, “My illustrious lordship, I’ll show you what a woman can do.” A response to her talent and capabilities as an artist being questioned. But did you know that she was almost lost to time?
As her art style was similar to her father’s, many historians credited her work to Orazio Gentileschi. Now we can see that her paintings had a distinct lens of the female experience. Artemisia painted historical and biblical stories that depicted women taking back control of their lives. Cleopatra was one of her subjects.
Artemisia did see success in her lifetime. She was the first female member of Florence’s Academy of Art and Drawing. She painted for the Spanish King Philip IV. She helped her father with a painting on the ceiling of Queen Henrietta Maria’s home, finishing the job after he passed away. Artemisia showed everyone exactly what a woman can do!
Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (1755-1842)
Like all women artists living under the reign of Louis XVI, many barriers were put in her way but that didn’t stop her. For example, the maximum number of women who were allowed to be admitted to the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture at any given time was only 4.
Luckily, Elisabeth was given training by her father from a young age. Her work was so good and getting so much interest that at 19 years old, her materials were confiscated. Working as a professional without formal academy membership wasn’t allowed. But Queen Marie-Antoinette took a liking to Elisabeth, and after creating a few paintings for the Queen, she was able to join the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture in Paris, France.
This association meant Elisabeth had to flee France during the Revolution. Still, she received commissions from nobility in Italy, Austria, Russia and Germany. Despite all these barriers, she’s one of the most successful artists of this time period.
Marietta Barovier (c. 15th-16th century)
As a glass artist myself, I had to mention some of the women artists who broke the glass ceiling in this area of the art world. Marietta Barovier had an incredible impact. She was the daughter of one of the most famous glassmakers ever, Angelo Barovier.
Marietta forged her own path by becoming the first woman that we know of to open her own glassblowing workshop. This was unheard of. Not only were women looked down on in the art world in general but glass art specifically, because working in the furnaces was seen as too hard for them.
Beadwork was one of the only areas of glasswork accessible to women and Marietta innovated in this area by establishing the technique for the Rosetta bead. This type of glass bead became very popular and has been traded worldwide. Marietta has done so much for her craft!
Elena and Margherita Micheluzzi (working today!)
I also wanted to shout out glass artists making waves today who have inspired me. I trained at Abate Zanetti School of Glass in Murano. Sisters Elena and Margherita Micheluzzi are keeping the tradition of Murano glass alive. Their brand is Micheluzzi Glass and I’m in awe of their artistry, craftsmanship and design.
Their entrypoint into the glass world was their father. But they never planned to join him as glass artists. It happened quite spontaneously when they suggested he make glasses, a form of glass he hadn’t explored much in his work, and he encouraged them to take on the task themselves. They experimented with what was practical and what was artistic to merge the two.
Like me, they find inspiration in the natural world, particularly water. Organic forms are a gentle, beautiful and intriguing way to push the boundaries of glass art and create pieces with a modern appeal.
This is just a small selection of women artists who have overcome obstacles and made a significant impact on the art world. They encourage me to keep going when I’m up against barriers because every woman artist who shares her unique creative vision today supports the growth of the women artists coming up behind us.
Explore my artwork online or see it in person at ALG Fine Art in the Dallas Design District.
