Icarus, 1964 © Pollock-Krasner Foundation (1964/1964) by Lee Krasner and The Pollock-Krasner FoundationBarbican Centre
The abstract art movement began in the early 20th century. From the start, women were at the forefront, but to this day, they are not known near as much as their male counterparts. Let's celebrate five female artists that deserve more appreciation.
By Loomis DeanLIFE Photo Collection
Joan Mitchell
One of the few female abstract artists to gain public acclaim at the time, Mitchell's intense and gestural style was influenced by Post-Impressionism. Her work is often expansive, covering multiple panels with overlapping brushstrokes.
Painting Portrait in Green in her studio, Springs, 1969 (1969/1969) by Lee KrasnerBarbican Centre
Lee Krasner
Krasner was married to a fellow famous abstract painter. However, her own work demands to be appreciated more in its own right as a key bridge between early 20th century and post-war American art.
Plan for The White City (1950) by Perle FineParrish Art Museum
Perle Fine
Rising to prominence in the 1950s, Fine's work is characterized by its fluidity and combination of biomorphic forms and geometric shapes. She used her in-depth knowledge of European masters to explore themes of emotion and energy.
Etude in Blue (1966) by Alma ThomasSCAD Museum of Art
Alma Thomas
Thomas's exuberant paintings were mostly created after retiring from nearly four decades as a public school art teacher, becoming a full time artist at almost 70 years of age. Since her death in 1978 her reputation as a pioneering African American artist has continued to grow.
Dove No. 2 (1915) by Hilma af KlintOlomouc Museum of Art
Hilma af Klimt
Swedish artist and mystic af Klimt's works are regarded as among the first abstract pieces in Western art. They often feature diagram-like images as visual representations of complex spiritual ideas.
Untitled (1933) by Hilma af KlintOlomouc Museum of Art
Discover more stories about overlooked women across arts and culture.
