9 famous female artists you should know
Painters and printmakers whose work changed art history.
For centuries women artists were kept out of academies, life-drawing classes and major exhibitions. Those who broke through did so against the odds. Here are the women in the Art Icons collection, ordered by how widely known they are today.
1.Frida Kahlo
1907–1954 · Mexican · Surrealism, Magic realismFrida Kahlo (1907–1954) was a Mexican painter associated with Surrealism and Magic realism. Known for Self-Portrait Dedicated to Leon Trotsky.
2.Georgia O'Keeffe
1887–1986 · American · American modernismGeorgia O'Keeffe (1887–1986) was an American painter associated with American modernism. Known for Blue and Green Music, A Storm and Black Iris.
3.Mary Cassatt
1844–1926 · American · ImpressionismMary Cassatt (1844–1926) was an American painter associated with Impressionism. Known for The Child's Bath, Little Girl in a Blue Armchair and Woman with a Pearl Necklace in a Loge.
4.Tamara de Lempicka
1898–1980 · Polish · Art DecoTamara de Lempicka (1898–1980) was a Polish painter associated with Art Deco. Known for The Communicant.
5.Sonia Delaunay
1885–1979 · French · Orphism, SimultanismSonia Delaunay (1885–1979) was a French painter associated with Orphism and Simultanism. Known for Portuguese Market, Composition Dancer and Toy box.
6.Helen Frankenthaler
1928–2011 · American · Abstract expressionism, Color FieldHelen Frankenthaler (1928–2011) was an American printmaker associated with Abstract expressionism and Color Field. Known for Mountains and Sea.
7.Bridget Riley
born 1931 · British · Op art, Contemporary artBridget Riley (born 1931) is a British painter associated with Op art and Contemporary art. Known for Sea Cloud.
8.Faith Ringgold
1930–2024 · American · Feminist artFaith Ringgold (1930–2024) was an American painter associated with Feminist art. Known for The American People Series #20: Die and Flying Home: Harlem Heroes and Heroines (Downtown and Uptown).
9.Ruth Orkin
1921–1985 · AmericanRuth Orkin (1921–1985) was an American film director. Known for American Girl in Italy.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the most famous female artist?
Among the artists in our collection, Frida Kahlo is the most widely known woman artist, measured by coverage across Wikipedia language editions.
Which female artist was part of the Impressionists?
Mary Cassatt, an American who lived in France, exhibited with the Impressionists in Paris.