Putting the Record Straight: The Lost Women of Art History

Continuing this seven-part lecture series by art historian Rose Balston on female artists from the 16th through to the 18th century – “women who have not only been side-lined, but literally (and shockingly) blocked out of history”, mainly by the (male) custodians of 19th-century art history. The talks run every other Wednesday to 4 December from 11am to 12.30pm; individual sessions are AED 250 per person, but there’s a deal for all seven at AED 1,650.

The schedule:

11 Sept Blazing the Trail: Sofonisba Anguissola
In the 16th century, Sofonisba Anguissola painted her way out of domesticity to unprecedented fame, earning accolades from (among others) Michelangelo and Van Dyck.

25 Sept The Secret Renaissance: The Women of Bologna
The female artists of 16th and 17th century Bologna flourished in this city and became part of its cultural identity.

9 Oct Artemisia Gentileschi: Art and Power
The most famous of all female artists from this period, Artemisia secured her place among the Baroque masters with astonishing paintings that powerfully reflect her personal struggles and cultural triumphs.

23 Oct Women who Shaped the Dutch Golden Age: Legacy Reclaimed
Explore the Dutch Golden Age through the lens of groundbreaking female artists who often outshone their male counterparts.

6 Nov Rococo Rock Star: Rosalba Carriera
Carriera was a canny businesswoman who revolutionised pastel painting, captivated the Grand Tour elite, and became an international cultural celebrity.

20 Nov In the Court of Versailles: Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun & Adélaïde Labille-Guiard
Creating sensational portraits of their royal patrons, the two top female painters in pre-Revolutionary France had nothing to be rivals about except that they both existed in a world not intended for them.

4 Dec Angelica Kauffman: Prodigy, Pioneer
Angelica Kauffman, a founding member of the Royal Academy, achieved international renown as both a portrait and history painter. Why then has she been sidelined in art history?