Top Ten Women Artists of the 20th Century

The 20th century saw many women artists breaking barriers, experimenting with new styles and mediums, and achieving significant recognition and influence in the art world. This list is by no means exhaustive. I’m sure if you lined up ten authors and asked them to give you the top ten women artists of the 20th century, you would get ten different lists. Here’s mine.

Ninth Street Women : Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler: Five Painters and the Movement That Changed Modern Art

Georgia O’Keeffe

“Rust Hills”

1. Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986) - An American painter known for her large-scale, highly stylized depictions of flowers, landscapes, and other natural forms. O'Keeffe is widely regarded as one of the most important American artists of the 20th century. Georgia O’Keeffe biography by Roxana Robinson - when it was published, it was named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.

2. Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) - A Mexican painter known for her self-portraits and depictions of Mexican culture and folklore. Kahlo's work often explores themes of identity, pain, and resilience, and she is considered one of the most significant female artists of the 20th century.

3. Louise Bourgeois (1911-2010) - A French-American artist known for her sculptures and installations that explore themes of gender, sexuality, and the body. Bourgeois was a leading figure in feminist art and is widely regarded as one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century.

4. Joan Mitchell (1925-1992) - An American painter associated with the Abstract Expressionist movement, Mitchell's large-scale paintings are characterized by bold colors and gestural brushstrokes. She is considered one of the most important American painters of the 20th century. Joan Mitchell Paintings.

5. Lee Krasner (1908-1984) - An American painter and collagist associated with the Abstract Expressionist movement, Krasner's work often explored themes of nature, mythology, and the human psyche. She was married to Jackson Pollock and was a significant influence on his work.

6. Yayoi Kusama (born 1929) - A Japanese artist known for her immersive installations, sculptures, and paintings that explore themes of infinity, repetition, and the body. Kusama is one of the most celebrated contemporary artists and has had numerous solo exhibitions around the world.

7. Agnes Martin (1912-2004) - An American painter known for her minimalist, abstract canvases characterized by delicate lines and subtle color variations. Martin's work is often associated with the Minimalist movement, and she is considered one of the most important artists of the 20th century. Agnes Martin Paintings

8. Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975) - A British sculptor known for her abstract, organic forms carved from stone and other natural materials. Hepworth was a leading figure in the British avant-garde and was associated with the St Ives group of artists.

9. Eva Hesse (1936-1970) - A German-American sculptor known for her experimental, process-driven sculptures that often incorporated unconventional materials such as latex and fiberglass. Hesse is considered one of the most important figures in post-minimalist art. Eva Hesse by Lucy Lippard - one of the great feminist art historians of our time.

10. Cindy Sherman (born 1954) - An American photographer known for her conceptual self-portraits that explore themes of identity, gender, and the representation of women in popular culture. Sherman's work is often provocative and has been highly influential in contemporary art and photography.

Yayoi Kasuma “Naoshima Pumpkin”