Overshadowed vs. Equality: Marriage & Art
The @femalequotient recently posted the photo below, of a 1933 newspaper article by Florence Davies. This image is frequently shared by women and artists to highlight the inequality experienced by female artists.
This article has been shared before.
In 2015, Josh Jones wrote a new article with the same title as Davies, “1933 Article on Frida Kahlo: “Wife of the Master Mural Painter Gleefully Dabbles in Works of Art”
In 2017, Louis Anguilar penned a similar article titled, Iconic Frida Kahlo before she was an icon. His take is that the original was probably actually written by a man as journalism was male dominated in the 1930’s. How ironic!
When I read Davies’ and Jones’ articles, I am reminded why it is so important to continue the discussions about female artists and their amazing contributions to art culture.
Of course, a continuation from 1933 as Davies’ highlights Kahlo’s physical features rather than her amazing artistry.
As we march farther away from the 19th & 20th centuries, when so many female artists were overlooked, I think it’s good practice to honor talented, educated, and intelligent women. The ladies below are just a few of those who paved the way so we can continue to change societal and culture norms in art.
As Glennon Doyle says, “We can do hard things”. So, let’s continue to have hard conversations for equality for women artists.
Five Female Artists Overshadowed by their Famous Husbands that aren’t Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera.
Lee Krasner (1908-1984)
~ Abstract expressionism ~ Modern art ~ Krasner was known for years as Mrs. Pollack, Jackson Pollack ‘s wife. Krasner already had a passion and career in art before meeting Pollack. She is the one who introduced Pollack to the critic who helped to catapult his career. They moved to Long Island and had a somewhat idyllic lifestyle painting, clamming, and riding bikes. This life also included Pollack’s alcoholism. During this time, she painted small paintings in a series called “Little Images” which was her breakthrough series before Pollock’s death in 1956. After this she created large artworks and began series that expressed her love of their property, nature, and mythology. Unfortunately, she died right before her opening at the Modern Museum of Art (MOMA). In an article for the Guardian Rachel Cooke provides more details of Krasner life with Pollack if you are interested.
- MOMA article
- Krasner’s work ~ 2021 exhibition at the Guggenheim Bilbao
Georgia O’Keefe (1887-1986)
~ Modernism,(Another American painter with seven decades of work in her arsenal.) She was married to Alfred Stieglitz, the famous cityscape photographer. For most of her early years, she attributed her fame with his and because of him. They were both inspired by each other and their relationship. He took hundreds of photos of her, while she was inspired by his work, painting subjects that he photographed. What follows is not a new story; he became jealous of her success, which led to a volatile marriage. This is when O’Keefe headed to New Mexico to develop many of her most famous, expressive, and well-known paintings of landscapes and flowers.
- O’Keefe’s work at the Metropolitan Museum
- Understanding Georgia O’Keefe and Alfred Stieglitz, Artsper Magazine, 2022.
- Visit her museum
Elaine de Kooning (1918-1989)
~ Abstract expressionism, Modern art ~ Elaine married Willem de Kooning, 16 years her elder and art teacher. She studied at Black Mountain College, in North Carolina, in 1948. In 2015, the National Portrait Gallery hosted an exhibition of de Kooning’s work to showcase her impact on art and abstract expressionism. She was commissioned to paint John F. Kennedy, an honor and “her most important commission.” Unlike Krasner, de Kooning passed away right after a huge exhibition of her Cave painting series, in 1989.
- Read more about her ~ Her Sacrifice
- Her home is registered as a preservation listed studio which you can tour.
- de Kooning’s work
Gwen Knight (1913-2005)
~ Harlem Renaissance ~
Knight and Jacob Lawrence are more of a love story than the others. They supported and leaned on each other to develop their artworks and successes. Knight was focused on the internal motivations of painting rather than the external ones like success. In this example, she was less famous than her husband but shared the love of art and exuded her own confidence and style. In 2009 article for Black Arts Legacies Keimig writes, “Although Knight’s work was never as widely exhibited or seen as Lawrence’s, her legacy is more nuanced than ‘woman artist overshadowed by husband’s career.’ Knight and Lawrence were a unit and built each other up — one’s work was not possible without the other’s total support and care.”
Margaret Keane (1927-2022)
~Big Eyed Movement ~ She died a few years ago knowing her rightful and owed title: famous American painter. This however, did not come without a struggle. Her second husband, Walter Keane, took credit for her “big eyes” body of work, subsequently causing Margaret distress and to be overlooked for many years. Walter Keane was found to be a con-artist which led to his “takedown” and the recovery of her reputation and financial loss. In 2014, Tim Burton directed a film “Big Eyes” that tells the unfolding of this story. I would highly recommend learning more about Margaret Keane as a woman and artist.
- Vanity Fair Article, 2014
- The above article by Josh Jones
- The Film “Big Eyes” directed by Tim Burton
“She’s very romantic in her painting, entirely different from me. Her feeling for color is very lyrical and her work has a certain kind of rhythm,” Lawrence said in a 1987 interview.
Jas Keimig, 2024 Article
These women were overlooked, overshadowed, and are a fraction of the generations of great female talent that were passed over in favor of their husbands.
These are great examples of women who were overlooked and overshadowed. As well as the generations of great talent that have been passed over and tossed aside in favor of their husbands.
Different times, different reasons, different consequences, but still important and impactful stories of male authority in the art world.
Another great reason why artist’s and women need to stick together and continue to push through the @glasscanvas
Until next time on @glasscanvas!
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