History of Women Artists for Children

Rating:
Summary: A worthy contribution
Review: This book provides one-page thumbnail sketches of 30 women artists, with one illustration per artist. The sketches are primarily biographical, describing how particular artists were able to become artists despite social obstacles. As a result, much of the text dwells on the artists' fathers and husbands, and how the latters' skills, attitudes, connections, and/or money facilitated women's careers. Telling us so much about male patronage and protection, and so little about artistic style and contribution, seems a huge disservice to the subject of women artists! The text and illustrations do not seem geared toward children: it would be easy to select illustrations that are more visually and intellectually appealing to kids. I was also surprised to see so many current artists included (6 of the 30 still living), while several pioneers of 20th century art not covered (e.g. Gabriele Munter, Sonia Delaunay, Frida Kahlo). Even so, with so little in the way of surveys of women artists available for children, this book is a worthy contribution.