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Independent Spirits: Women Painters of the American West, 1890-1945
Independent Spirits brings to vivid life the West as seen through the eyes of women painters from 1890 to the end of World War II. Expert scholars and curators identify long-lost talent and reveal how these women were formidable cultural innovators as well as agitators for the rights of artists and women during a period of extraordinary development.
Abundantly illustrated, with over one-hundred color plates, this book is a rich compendium of Western art by women, including those of Native American, African, Mexican, and Asian descent. The essays examine the many economic, social, and political forces that shaped this art over years of pivotal change. The West's dynamic growth altered the role of women, often allowing new avenues of opportunity within the prevailing Anglo culture. At the same time, boundaries of femininity were pushed earlier and further than in other parts of the country.
Women artists in the West painted a wide range of subjects, and their work embraced a variety of Realism, Impressionism, Symbolism, Surrealism. Some women championed modern art as gallery owners, collectors, and critics, while others were educators and curators. All played an important role in gaining the acceptance of women as men's peers in artistic communities, and their independent spirit resonates in studios and galleries throughout the country today.
Abundantly illustrated, with over one-hundred color plates, this book is a rich compendium of Western art by women, including those of Native American, African, Mexican, and Asian descent. The essays examine the many economic, social, and political forces that shaped this art over years of pivotal change. The West's dynamic growth altered the role of women, often allowing new avenues of opportunity within the prevailing Anglo culture. At the same time, boundaries of femininity were pushed earlier and further than in other parts of the country.
Women artists in the West painted a wide range of subjects, and their work embraced a variety of Realism, Impressionism, Symbolism, Surrealism. Some women championed modern art as gallery owners, collectors, and critics, while others were educators and curators. All played an important role in gaining the acceptance of women as men's peers in artistic communities, and their independent spirit resonates in studios and galleries throughout the country today.
- GenresArtArt HistoryWomens
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 28, 2020
A great book that accompanies an exhibition that I wish I could have seen. The book features American women painters from the West and details their contributions. The book is divided into separate chapters written by different authors for different regions of the West, including chapters on Northern California, the Pacific Northwest, Southern California, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, the Great Plains States, and the Rocky Mountain states.
There is a great amount of background information about arts in general in the region and then interesting biographical information about individual artists, nearly all who were unknown to me. The book is richly illustrated with color reproductions of many paintings, many of which are in private collections.
The book is great at bringing to attention discrimination that women faced as painters in what was then a marginalized part of the country, and the individual authors of the chapters do a great job of providing a cohesive narrative and style throughout the book.
Highly recommended!
There is a great amount of background information about arts in general in the region and then interesting biographical information about individual artists, nearly all who were unknown to me. The book is richly illustrated with color reproductions of many paintings, many of which are in private collections.
The book is great at bringing to attention discrimination that women faced as painters in what was then a marginalized part of the country, and the individual authors of the chapters do a great job of providing a cohesive narrative and style throughout the book.
Highly recommended!
May 3, 2012
This book is actually by PATRICIA TRENTON, the intro is by Virgina Schraff. I wish they would list this correctly.
I was lucky enough to see the traveling exhibit that this book was connected to. I saw it at the Autry Museum in Los Angeles around 1995/96.
It was the first time that I learned about these women artists. I was especially interested in the women art teachers in Montana. I learned a lot of info I did not know back in the 90s.
Some lovely color prints.
Highly recommend.
Excellent resource for Women in Art History in the West.
Excellent info for young girls to learn about some role models.
I was lucky enough to see the traveling exhibit that this book was connected to. I saw it at the Autry Museum in Los Angeles around 1995/96.
It was the first time that I learned about these women artists. I was especially interested in the women art teachers in Montana. I learned a lot of info I did not know back in the 90s.
Some lovely color prints.
Highly recommend.
Excellent resource for Women in Art History in the West.
Excellent info for young girls to learn about some role models.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews