About

On social media, in blog posts (including guest posts by contributors from a range of backgrounds), and on fine art note cards, Art Herstory showcases the work of female Old Masters. These women artists were famous in their time, but over the centuries, their names and works have fallen into obscurity.

Throughout history, humans—both women and men—have expressed themselves through art. Yet in art history books and museum holdings and exhibitions, the names of male artists far outnumber those of female ones.

But change is in the air! Now museums are working, in their acquisitions and exhibitions choices, to correct the imbalance. And their efforts extend to women artists of the past, as well as of the present.

Today, the world of the arts is abuzz with exciting discoveries about female Old Masters. Art historians, museum curators, art dealers, biographers, dramatists, and authors of historical fiction are among the professionals whose work focuses on history’s women artists. Follow Art Herstory on social media to keep up as the movement evolves!

Louise Moillon | French, 1610 – c. 1696

Art Institute of Chicago; Wirt D. Walker Fund, 1948.78

 

Art Herstory note cards feature works by women who were the contemporaries—and arguably, the equals—of Michelangelo and Titian, Vermeer and Rembrandt. There are currently twelve note card designs, and two Christmas card designs. The cards feature artworks by Orsola Maddalena Caccia, Giovanna Garzoni, Artemisia Gentileschi, Judith Leyster, Sofonisba Anguissola, Clara Peeters, Louise Moillon, Rachel Ruysch, Maria Schalcken, and Anne Vallayer-Coster.

 

 

 

Art Herstory note cards are designed and printed in the USA (Vermont) on high quality card stock.  In reproducing these beautiful but little-known works of art, Art Herstory contributes to the worthy enterprise of rediscovering—and celebrating—history’s great women artists.

Look for Art Herstory note cards at The National Gallery Shops; Hitchcock Museum Shop at Joslyn Art Museum; the Clark Art Institute; the Art Institute of Chicago Museum Shop; the Birmingham (AL) Museum of Art; the Bookstore at Northern Iowa University; the Princeton University Art Museum Store; and the Saint Louis Art Museum.

 

Within Vermont, look for Art Herstory at the Blue Cottage gift shop in Hinesburg; The Vermont Book Shop in Middlebury; or the Northshire Bookstore in Manchester. Or order from Art Herstory’s online shop!

 

 

Sofonisba Anguissola | 1532–1625

Source: Nivaagaards Malerisamling, Denmark; acquired 1873

Erika Gaffney | Founder | Creative Director

Erika is a Humanities Editor in scholarly publishing. A major focus of her editorial work is the lives and experiences of womenincluding artiststhroughout history. She also has an abiding fondness for fine stationery.

Artemisia Gentileschi

Maria Schalcken

Judith Leyster

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