Women Artists

The revised and updated fifth edition of the classic and indispensable history of women artists from the Renaissance to the present.

In this fifth edition of her best-selling survey, Nancy Heller incorporates the most recent discoveries about the women artists of the past—and carries the story forward into the 21st century, with the evocative, sometimes provocative work of artists like Pilar Albarracín, Liza Lou, and Julie Mehretu. This abundantly illustrated volume chronicles five centuries of women painters and sculptors, from Sofonisba Anguissola to Wendy Red Star. Nancy Heller’s text looks unflinchingly at the obstacles that women encountered, such as restricted access to education and apprenticeship, social pressures to marry and mother, and limited opportunities to travel and exhibit. But, at the same time, she emphasises the ingenious ways in which generations of women artists circumvented these obstacles to establish themselves as well-respected professionals. Though some of the artists in this book did not receive their due until centuries after their death, many, such as Lavinia Fontana and Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun, achieved local or even international fame in their lifetimes.

Featuring over more than 200 reproductions—all in full colour—as well as portraits of the artists themselves, Women Artists is an indispensable addition to every bookshelf devoted to art history or women’s studies.

Nancy G. Heller is an art historian, writer, and lecturer on the arts who has presented numerous talks on women artists at various museums, colleges, and other institutions. Her books include Women Artists: Selections from the Collection of the National Museum of Women in the Arts and Why a Painting Is Like a Pizza: A Guide to Understanding and Enjoying Modern Art. Since 1984 Heller has been an avid student, critic, and teacher of Spanish dance.