In the 19th century, female painters broke through barriers in the art world, establishing themselves in a field dominated by their male counterparts. These female painters 19th century faced challenges at every turn, often denied access to formal art schools and barred from mainstream exhibitions.
Despite these limitations, they pursued art passionately, adding new depth to fine arts. Today, these women artists receive well-deserved recognition in institutions like the Metropolitan Museum and Speed Art Museum.
Their art reflects a blend of skill and resilience, offering invaluable insights into a transformative era. Now, let’s explore 15 pioneering female painters of the 19th century whose legacies continue to inspire.
1. Mary Cassatt
Mary Cassatt, an American painter who became the only American woman associated with Impressionism, captured the nuanced social lives of women through her art. Born in Pennsylvania in 1844, she moved to Paris to pursue her career in fine arts.
Cassatt’s work focuses on intimate moments, especially the bond between mothers and children, bringing warmth and depth to scenes of domestic life. Her innovative style brought a woman artist’s perspective to the art scene of the late nineteenth century.
She embraced pastel and oil painting, using delicate strokes and light colors to evoke softness. Cassatt remains celebrated for her fresh and detailed perspectives on motherhood.
Famous Mary Cassat Artworks
View all Mary Cassat Paintings on Artchive.
2. Berthe Morisot
Berthe Morisot, a pivotal French painter and founding figure in Impressionism, transformed how women artists represented daily life. Born in 1841, Morisot received private lessons as women were barred from most art schools.
She began studying landscape painting but soon developed a preference for domestic scenes, focusing on family life and natural surroundings. Known for her soft, light-filled approach, Morisot used loose brushstrokes that conveyed movement and intimacy, often blending colors to create a unique atmosphere.
Despite facing social prejudice, her artistic talent led her to major exhibitions. Morisot’s works remain an essential part of art history, celebrated in venues like the National Museum and the Metropolitan Museum.
Famous Berthe Morisot Artworks
- The Cradle
- Summer’s Day
- Woman at Her Toilette
View all Berthe Morisot Paintings on Artchive.
3. Rosa Bonheur
Rosa Bonheur stands out as a pioneering female artist in realism, best known for her powerful depictions of animals. Born in France in 1822, Bonheur was passionate about animal anatomy and landscape art, often visiting farms and old streets to study her subjects.
She achieved international fame with her monumental work The Horse Fair, which showcases her attention to detail and understanding of animal movement. B
bonheur’s realism brought her critical acclaim across Europe, making her one of the few women artists to attain such success in her lifetime. A gold medal awardee at the Salon, Bonheur’s artistic talent gained her recognition, and her works continue to influence art history.
Famous Rosa Bonheur Artworks
View all Rosa Bonheur Paintings on Artchive.
4. Elizabeth Siddal
Elizabeth Siddal, a British artist linked with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, holds a special place in the art world for her unique, introspective style. Born in 1829 in London, Siddal began her career as a model but quickly transitioned to painting and poetry, encouraged by artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti.
Siddal’s work often explores themes of romance, mythology, and personal sorrow, reflecting the emotional struggles she faced. Her work captures an introspective and symbolic style, resonating deeply with themes from her own life’s challenges.
She embraced symbolic imagery and used delicate lines, becoming a central woman artist in the decorative arts.
Famous Elizabeth Siddal Artworks
- Clerk Saunders
- Lovers Listening to Music
- Lady Clare
5. Suzanne Valadon
Suzanne Valadon emerged as one of France’s boldest female artists, transitioning from a model to an artist in her own right. Born in 1865, Valadon initially worked as a circus performer before entering artistic shops to model for artists like Renoir and Toulouse-Lautrec.
Suzanne’s work challenged norms, focusing on nude models and still life, a bold choice for a woman artist of her time. Valadon’s style brought fearsome speed and vivid color to the canvas, portraying human forms with striking honesty.
Today, her works are appreciated for their realism and unapologetic approach, showcased in major exhibitions globally.
Famous Suzanne Valadon Artworks
View all Suzanne Valadon Paintings on Artchive.
6. Käthe Kollwitz
Käthe Kollwitz, a German artist and powerful voice for social justice, focused her painting and printmaking on themes of struggle, motherhood, and the lives of the working class. Born in 1867, Kollwitz experienced hardship early in life, which became a strong influence on her art.
She used her artistic talent to portray human suffering and resilience, often using dark, detailed lines that conveyed intense emotions. Many of her works depict grief and sacrifice, connecting her directly with nineteenth-century social concerns.
Kollwitz became renowned for her honest portrayals of social issues, often displayed in major exhibitions worldwide, with pieces now housed in prestigious institutions like the National Museum.
Famous Käthe Kollwitz Artworks
- Mother with Her Dead Son
- The Weaver’s Revolt
- Self-Portrait with Hand on Forehead
View all Käthe Kollwitz Paintings on Artchive.
7. Elizabeth Thompson
Elizabeth Thompson, one of the few female artists recognized for military art, boldly challenged the norms of British artists in the nineteenth century. Born in Switzerland in 1846 but raised in Britain, she focused on large-scale battle scenes, a genre dominated by men.
Her portrayal of soldiers with fear, exhaustion, and camaraderie gave a humanized view of war, setting her apart as a woman artist who brought empathy to military scenes.
Thompson’s career took off after her painting “The Roll Call” received critical acclaim at a major exhibition in London. Her detailed work allowed viewers to see the soldiers’ struggle and courage, providing a fresh perspective on war art.
Famous Elizabeth Thompson Artworks
- The Roll Call
- Scotland Forever!
- The 28th Regiment at Quatre Bras
8. Marie Bracquemond
Marie Bracquemond, a gifted French Impressionist, used light and color to explore the inner lives of women in domestic settings. Born in 1840, she is celebrated as one of many women artists who contributed to Impressionism, though often overshadowed by her male contemporaries.
Her interest in capturing everyday life, from family gatherings to quiet moments, reflects a genuine insight into the female experience.
Bracquemond’s career flourished after studying under Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres at the école des beaux-arts in Paris, which led to her successful career despite social prejudice. Her art style is known for delicate brushwork and the soft yet vivid colors that became a staple in nineteenth-century French art.
Famous Marie Bracquemond Artworks
- Under the Lamp
- The Artist’s Son and Sister in the Garden at Sèvres
- On the Terrace
View all Marie Bracquemond Paintings on Artchive.
9. Emily Harris
Canadian painter Emily Harris became known for her scientific precision in depicting landscapes and native plants, elevating botanical art to fine art. Born in 1837, Harris began painting early and was passionate about her native country’s flora, often inspired by nature’s details.
Harris’s careful attention to plants and natural forms gives her work a unique depth, showing her dedication to capturing both beauty and accuracy. Her work combines the delicate touch of fine arts with the observation of scientific illustration.
Over time, her dedication led her to earn respect as a real artist in Canadian art history. Her paintings were often exhibited in major traveling exhibitions and celebrated in artistic shops across Canada.
Famous Emily Harris Artworks
- Study of Pansies
- The Evening Shadows
- Wild Rose and Ferns
10. Evelyn De Morgan
Evelyn De Morgan, an English painter tied to Symbolism, used her art to express feminist ideals and spiritual themes. Born in 1855, De Morgan studied painting from a young age and developed a distinct style that used allegory and symbolism to explore themes of life, death, and the eternal soul.
De Morgan often painted female figures representing hope and strength, contributing to her role as a significant woman artist in Britain.
Her mystical, richly colored compositions are housed in institutions like the National Museum. Known for her vivid imagination, De Morgan’s works remain a testament to her bold ideas on spirituality and feminist themes.
Famous Evelyn De Morgan Artworks
- The Angel of Death
- Night and Sleep
- Hope in a Prison of Despair
11. Cecilia Beaux
Cecilia Beaux, an accomplished American painter, gained prominence for her portraits that capture refined elegance and realism. Born in 1855, she studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and went on to teach there, becoming one of the few women artists in that role.
Her sophisticated style, often compared to John Singer Sargent, showcased her skillful use of light and shadow, giving depth to her subjects. Known for her subtle and realistic portrayals, Beaux achieved a successful career despite a society that limited female artists.
Beaux’s work, often exhibited in major traveling exhibitions, remains celebrated for its elegant interpretation of her subjects’ personalities, making her an inspiration for many in art history.
Famous Cecilia Beaux Artworks
- Self-Portrait
- Dorothea and Francesca
- Mother and Daughter
12. Maria Cosway
Maria Cosway, an Italian-English artist and musician, brought the grace of Neoclassical painting to her portraits. Born in Florence in 1760, she traveled extensively and gained fame in London and Paris.
Cosway’s delicate touch and emotional depth gained admiration and influenced her close friendship with Thomas Jefferson, who respected her artistic talent. Her career also spanned music, showcasing her versatility as an artist.
Cosway’s stained glass work reflects her range, while her paintings portray her unique style. Her contributions are significant, both as an artist and as a bridge between Italian and British art traditions of the nineteenth century.
Famous Maria Cosway Artworks
- Portrait of Napoleon
- Self-Portrait with Harp
- Thomas Jefferson
13. Lilly Martin Spencer
Lilly Martin Spencer stood out among female artists of the nineteenth century for her lively and humorous depictions of domestic life. Born in England in 1822 and raised in Ohio, Spencer became well-known for her genre paintings highlighting family life with a playful spirit.
Her unique style, rich with warm colors and detail, celebrated the joys of daily life. Despite the societal challenges of her time, Spencer’s work gained popularity, and her paintings were featured in numerous exhibitions.
Spencer often showed scenes of family, community, and love, giving her a lasting impact in the art world as a woman artist who captured the beauty of everyday moments.
Famous Lilly Martin Spencer Artworks
- Domestic Happiness
- Kiss Me and You’ll Kiss the ’Lasses
- Young Husband: First Marketing
14. Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun
Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, known for her portraits of Marie Antoinette, rose to fame in Paris as a celebrated portrait artist in the late eighteenth century. She developed her talents at an early age and became the official court painter of the French monarchy, gaining international fame.
Vigée Le Brun’s work stands out for its elegant brushwork and vibrant use of color, which highlighted her subjects’ grace and personality.
Her portraiture reflected her understanding of French society and noble aesthetics, which made her a sought-after artist. Her art left a powerful impression on history, influencing later female artists.
Famous Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun Artworks
- Self-Portrait in a Straw Hat
- Marie Antoinette and Her Children
- Madame Grand
15. Anna Ancher
Danish artist Anna Ancher, part of the Skagen Painters, captured everyday moments in radiant, color-focused scenes. Born in 1859, Ancher grew up in Skagen, Denmark, and became known for her interior scenes bathed in light.
She excelled in using warm, natural hues to create a serene, contemplative atmosphere, bringing Danish culture to life through her art.
Ancher’s work shines with a genuine depiction of daily life, and her mastery of light reflects her passion for simple moments. Today, her contributions are celebrated in Danish museums, making her an iconic woman artist whose work continues to inspire.
Famous Anna Ancher Artworks
- Sunlight in the Blue Room
- A Girl by the Window
- The Harvesters
Frequently Asked Questions About Female Artists of the 19th Century
Do you still have questions about female artists of the 19th century? Here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions.
What Art Medium were common among Female Painters in the 19th Century
Female painters in the 19th century often used the art mediums of oil paint, watercolors, and pastels.
What Art Movements did Women Painters belong to in the 19th Century?
Many 19th century women artists engaged in the Art Movements of Impressionism, Realism, and Neoclassicism. Figures like Elizabeth Jane Gardner Bouguereau gained recognition in major traveling exhibitions, becoming some of the first women to achieve acclaim in these movements.
What Art Genres were common among female painters in the 19th Century?
Female artists in the 19th century often explored art genres of portraiture, domestic scenes, and still life, with some, like Austrian painters, specializing in these genres for the Denver Art Museum and other institutions.
