Female Artists

In the current themed auction, artists from 1850 to the mid-1950s come together, sharing the commonality of being women. Today, this is not something we would particularly distinguish or even mention, but at the time many of these works were created, there were significant differences between men's and women's artistic educations. Since the days of the Renaissance, the role of the artist has been masculinely coded and characterized by notions of genius, virility, creativity, and a certain degree of marginalization. In the late 19th century, being a female artist involved a constant balancing act between success and societal expectations. In 1864, the so-called "Women's Department" opened at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm, allowing female art students to participate in regular classes but in separate facilities and with classes held at different times than those for men. The teachers and curriculum were otherwise the same, except that women were not allowed to draw nude figures from live models. Several female students had received preparatory training at August Malmström's art school. In 1877, the Academic Club was founded, where students of both genders could socialize more freely and informally. They organized parties, masquerades, and published the magazine "Palette Scraps." The Academic Club laid the groundwork for the networks and various colonies that Swedish artists participated in during the 19th century in Paris.
The auction ends on Friday, March 8th, on International Women's Day. Among the over 80 works, there is a wide range of subjects, expressions, and materials.