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Jarica Slaughter
Ms. Pamela Reed
Rhet 1311 Composition 1
10 February 2016
Lack of Women Artist in the Art World
In the art world, male artists are widely known such as Van Gough, Leonardo da Vinci,
and Pablo Picasso. But female artists are not well known. In some artworks, no matter the
medium, have women in the artwork, either nude or there to paint. When you look at the name
its not the female artists name you see but the male artist. The question that is asked is, How
come there are no female artists known?
In some countries, such as France, had women artists but they were not accepted as
professional artists. In other countries like England and the USA, women were not recognized
for their artistic skills. When the opportunity came for women to present their artwork to the
public, men disregarded that women were able to paint a picture, let alone make artwork.
Georgia OKeeffe, a female artist, said Men like to put me down as the best women painter, I
think Im the best painter. Meaning she does not see herself as the best women painter but just
the best painter. Female artists would submit their artwork or put their work for auction. When it
came to selling their artwork they get paid the less amount of money for their art.
Sometimes it is the artwork that women do that get them overlook. One art instructor, a
Hans Hoffmann stated to the painter Lee Krasner, It was so good that you wouldnt even know it
was done by a woman. Stating that the object was comparative to that of a male artists. Artwork

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such as textiles or decorative art were not considered fine art to most people. On top of that
women were kept from pursuing the education they wanted. Some men appreciate the female
artists but in the western world they believed the female artist were inferior artists. Most
artworks you see, no matter the medium have women in the artwork, either nude or there to
paint.
In order for female artists to feel comfortable and successful with their artwork and
presenting their artwork they would say small quotes or sayings that help them throughout the
times they were criticized by men. They sometimes just ignore what others say and keep doing
what they love to do best, making art. For example RoseLee Goldberg, founder of Performa,
quoted, Be kind, be generous, and dont blame the guys.
It might also be the lack of exposure female artists get that makes the world wonder
where female artist are. Museums would have statues and paintings of women in the museums
but those were made by men. Not all artwork you see is by women or any female artists in the
world because museums dont want to show off their work, thinking it might bring the value
down or it might make their business bad.

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Work Cited
"Women Share the Secrets to Art World Success - Artnet News." Artnet News. 2015.
Web. 20 Feb. 2016. <https://news.artnet.com/people/secrets-of-art-world-success-for-women291090>.
"From 1971: Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?" ARTnews. Web. 20 Feb.
2016. <http://www.artnews.com/2015/05/30/why-have-there-been-no-great-women-artists/>.
"Khan Academy." Khan Academy. Web. 20 Feb. 2016.
<https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/tate/women-in-art/history-of-women-in-art/a/abrief-history-of-women-in-art>.