The names Leonardo Da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, and Pablo Picasso would instantly ring a bell to many people. That’s because they’re arguably the most celebrated painters of all time.
However, an inquisitive art critic would also point them out as being all male. And they wouldn’t be wrong, as the art world has traditionally been male-dominated. So much so that a review of previous studies points to a systematic discrimination against female painters.
Many people dismiss female artists as simply not good enough. Some take on a more proactive approach in their bias by depriving women painters of a platform to showcase their artistic flair.
But while female artists rarely get the credit they deserve, history books are replete with women who broke the glass ceiling to create some of the most captivating paintings.
Here’s a rundown of the ten most famous female painters, alongside their tremendous contributions to the art world.
1.Artemisia Lomi Gentileschi (1593–c. 1654)
Artemisia Gentileschi was an Italian Baroque painter who needs little introduction. Gentileschi is considered one of the most famous women artists and the most accomplished 17th-century painter, a feat largely attributed to her choice of themes.
Living under a period of severe female subjugation, Artemisia opted to focus her works on female suffering and triumph. Her works played an instrumental role in debunking baseless misogynistic opinions during her time and beyond.
So talented was Artemisia that she became the first woman to join the prestigious Florence-based Accademia di Arte del Disegno. Her paintings are both sobering and emotionally provoking, drawing from Biblical and mythical references.
Some of Artemisia’s most recognizable works include ‘Susanna and the Elders,’ ‘Judith and Her Maidservant,’ and ‘Judith Slaying Holofernes.’
2. Sofonisba Anguissola (c. 1532–1625)
Sofonisba Anguissola is famous for her mesmerizing artworks. Born in 1532 in Cremona, Italy, Sofonisba studied fine arts and interned for local painters before launching her professional career.
She later worked with several renowned painters, including Michelangelo. One of her earliest professional accomplishments was the painting of Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of Alba.
Sofonisba later joined the Spanish royalty and worked as Philip II’s official court painter until the king’s death. Her other notable works include ‘Portrait of Elisabeth of Valois’ and ‘Self-Portrait at the Easel.’
3. Mary Stevenson Cassatt (1844–1926)
Mary Cassatt was an American-born, Paris-based Impressionist painter. Cassatt was born in Pennsylvania but moved to France, where she spent much of her adult life. While in Europe, she met and befriended French impressionist Edgar Degas in what became a life-changing encounter.
Cassatt’s paintings are mostly family-oriented. She has several edifying illustrations of women, with most of her works highlighting the bond between mother and child. Some of her standout paintings include ‘In the Loge,’ The Boating Party,’ and ‘The Child’s Caress'.
4. Berthe Marie Pauline Morisot (1841–1895)
Berthe Morisot is one of the most celebrated French painters.
Born in January 1841, Morisot began painting at a tender age. Her works soon earned her a spot in the Impressionists, the Paris-based painters’ community that also included the likes of Mary Cassatt.
Like Cassatt, Morisot’s paintings were dominated by domestic scenes. She’s best known for ‘The Candle,’ which depicts her sister Edma tenderly gazing at her baby daughter Blanche sleeping in a crib.
5. Hilma af Klint (1862–1944)
Hilma af Klint was a Swedish painter who many art critics regard as the most talented abstract artist of her generation. Her works cover multiple themes, with a focus on spirituality and mysticism.
Klint’s abstract paintings predate those of renowned male artists like Wassily Kendinsky and Kazimir Malevich. Some of her popular works include ‘Chaos, Nr., ‘They Tens Mainstay IV,’ and What A Human Being Is.’
6. Georgia O'Keeffe (1887–1986)
Georgia O'Keeffe was an American modernist painter renowned for her large-scale illustrations. O’Keeffe launched her artistic career in 1905 by enrolling at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
She later proceeded to the University of Virginia, where she continued to hone her artistic flair. O’Keeffe’s works are mostly flower-themed. That includes ‘The Red Canna,’ a beautiful painting of the canna lily highlighting the flower’s vibrant blossoms.
Besides flowers, O’Keeffe created several therapeutic paintings depicting landscapes and skyscrapers.
7. Frida Kahlo (1907–1954)
Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón, more commonly known simply as Frida Kahlo, is one of the most celebrated female painters of the 20th century.
The Mexican artist is renowned for her numerous self-portraits. Her portraits are mostly split between depicting her personal struggles with chronic pain and highlighting Mexican culture.
Kahlo’s unique visual storytelling style explains her tremendous artistic success. She used her platform to explore diverse issues, including gender, class, and racial identity. Some of her outstanding works include 'The Two Fridas,' 'Diego and I,' and 'The Wounded Deer.'
8. Yayoi Kusama (1929–Present)
Not all painters are deceased. Some, like Yayoi Kusama, are still around and continue to impact the art world. Born in March 1929, Kusama is a Japanese contemporary artist renowned for her persistent use of polka dots.
Kusama’s paintings are mostly about self-annihilation and the universe’s vastness. One of her masterpieces is ‘Infinity Rooms,’ in which she utilizes mirrors and other reflective objects to create an infinite void.
9. Lenore “Lee” Krasner (1908–1984)
Lee Krasner is yet another 20th-century female painter who deserves special recognition. Krasner worked both as an abstract painter and a visual artist, choosing to spend most of her active years in New York.
She studied at Cooper Union’s Women’s Art School and later at the National Academy of Design. Krasner’s artistic prowess led her to team up with another talented abstract expressionist, Jackson Pollock.
The two later tied the knot, with Krasner playing a pivotal role in advancing her husband’s career.
10. Helen Frankenthaler (1928–2011)
Helen Frankenthaler was an American abstract painter and the pioneer of ‘color field painting.’ Like Krasner, Frankenthaler contributed immensely to the postwar American painting scene.
Among her beautiful illustrations are 'Mountains and Sea,' 'Grey Fireworks,' and 'Small's Paradise.' Frankenthaler’s success was largely due to her signature soak-stain method.
This painting technique involves thinning paint and then pouring it into a large, unprimed canvas. The idea is to let the paint soak into the canvas and integrate into its fabric, creating a realistic masterpiece.
Wrap Up
While males continue to dominate the art world, women have had their fair share of successful stories too.
Not only have female painters mesmerized us with their breathtaking creations. They’ve also proven that they can be just as gifted as (if not better than) their male counterparts.
Grab an art piece by any of these painters and celebrate women who used their artistic talent to communicate profound ideas that no words could ever express.
