American women artists, especially those working before 1945, had to negotiate societal expectations that largely restricted women to the domestic sphere with their drive to be recognized as professionals. These artists often faced difficult choices, sacrificing in their personal lives or professional options. Regardless, most fell into obscurity with their death, no matter the successes they achieved while living.
I am joining a handful of other art historians who want to bring these careers back into the dialogue about American art. The “Finding Her Way” series focuses on one painting by each of seven artists, who collectively paint a picture of American attitudes and gradually changing mores. My hope is to draw renewed attention to these talented artists and heighten awareness about the challenges that women artists continue to face.
Special thanks to Art Times Journal for supporting this vision and publishing the series of essays.
Elizabeth Okie Paxton and The Breakfast Tray, c.1910 Private Collection Art Times Journal Summer 2014
Lilly Martin Spencer and War Spirit at Home, 1866
featured in
Isabel Bishop’s New Vision: Social Mobility Beyond the Separate Spheres
Art Times Journal, Winter 2015
We are pleased to publish these works and to be supporting this project
Your series gained quite a bit of attention in http://www.arttimesjournal.com and I am so pleased that you have put them together in a booklet and can also be found on your blog and website.
Thank you for your marvelous support!
Thanks for maintaining this site! I saw the talk at NYPL yesterday and it was FABULOUS!!! (need more exclamation points!) Another chance to look closely at these paintings and follow up on learning more about the artists. So excited! Thank you, Rena!
Wonderful to see you at the talk. Thanks so much for your participation and lovely comments!