Women artists since the 15th Century and before have received scant attention because of sexism in the art world, but they did leave a body of work.
For the next four weeks, the Art Institute of Chicago is offering ”Women Artists: From the 16th Century to the 20th Century,” a series focusing on the work of some two dozen American and European artists, from 16th Century Dutch to contemporary American artists.
In each of four one-hour lectures, Elizabeth Georgiopoulos, an Art Institute lecturer, will outline the artists` individual styles and describe the specific social restrictions each artist had to overcome to achieve a reputation.
”Their main restriction has been that the world was perceived as a man`s world, in the sense that any deeds or accomplishments were done by men,” said Clare Kunny, another museum lecturer. ”That was true in science, politics and the arts, and it was basically maintained through the years.” The first lecture this week, ”Renaissance to Early 17th Century-Securing a Place in the History of Art,” will cover the work of Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1652), Caterina van Hemessen (1528-after 1587), Levina Teerlinc (1520-1576) and others.
The restrictions on female artists continued through the 17th and 18th Centuries, although some women worked prolifically. They will be discussed in the second lecture, ”Seventeenth and 18th Centuries-The Dutch Example and the Beginnings of an International Appeal.”
The first evidence of an independent female artists` movement came during the 19th Century, and their work will be the focus of the third lecture, ”The 19th Century-Realists, Impressionists and Dreamers.”
By this century, female artists such as Georgia O`Keefe and Frida Kahlo were working in styles independent of men`s.
The final lecture, ”The 20th Century-Modernism and Emancipation,” will address the future of women in art.
The lectures will be held at 10:45 a.m. Fridays and repeated at 10:45 a.m. Saturdays. Admission to the series is $30 for members, $40 for non-members. Individual lectures: $9.50 members, $12 non-members.
The series will be held at the Morton Auditorium of the Art Institute of Chicago, Michigan Avenue and Adams Street.
For registration information, call 312-443-3680.
