Artwork Created by Women but Recognized Under Men’s Names

Throughout art history, it has been common for only men’s names to be mentioned. However, men were not the sole painters in every instance; women were also renowned artists. Yet, because no one held rightful credit over their artworks, history has failed to acknowledge these women. For example, the painting The Triumph of Bacchus was attributed to others for centuries. This highly realistic oil painting, created in 1629, depicts figures enjoying a drinking session. Only recently was it confirmed that the female artist Michelina Wautier painted it. In her honor, the Royal Academy in London hosted a major exhibition featuring this and other works by her. This article highlights other female painters and their notable artworks as well.

The Triumph of Bacchus: In 1993, art historian Katlijne Van der Stighelen discovered this painting while researching the collection of Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum. Although it had no signature, its grandeur suggested a significant hidden story. She suspected a woman could have painted it. The museum’s curator, Gustav Glück, initially declared the work could not be by a woman. Later, it was confirmed that Michelina Wautier was the artist. She is also depicted in the painting, on the right side, boldly portrayed semi-nude in a combative pose.

Credit for this artwork was initially given to her brother, and many of her other paintings were mistakenly attributed to male artists. Today, she is considered the greatest artistic rediscovery of this century.

Self-Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria: Artemisia Gentileschi Artemisia Gentileschi created expressive emotional paintings during her youth and was in high demand. However, with the decline of Baroque style popularity in the 1700s, she faded into obscurity. Many of her works were attributed to other artists. It was only in 2017 that this self-portrait was officially authenticated as hers.

The Carousing Couple (1630): Dutch painter Judith Leyster was highly respected during her lifetime but was overshadowed by male contemporaries after her death. Most of her works were credited to her husband Jan Miense Molenaer or to Frans Hals. The truth emerged only in 1892 when a dealer found the initials “JL” and a star symbol (a nod to her name meaning “pole star”) under Frans Hals’s signature.

Baroness Elsa von Freytag and Morton Schamberg: In the 19th and 20th centuries, female artists were often dismissed as amateurs or immature. Many women were relegated to the background as mere muses. Among these was a courageous figure, German painter and poet Baroness Elsa von Freytag.

Margaret Keane: ‘Tomorrow Forever’ (1963) The 2014 film Big Eyes portrayed the story of American artist Margaret Keane. In the 1960s, paintings of children with large eyes were extremely popular, but they were believed to be created by men. According to author Helen Gurley, paintings signed by men were valued higher, while those by women were devalued.

Margaret was naturally shy, but her husband Walter was adept at selling and negotiating. He pressured her into allowing him to claim all credit for the paintings. Margaret only signed her works with the surname “Keane.” After their divorce, the dispute reached court, where the judge asked both to paint inside the courtroom.

Walter claimed to have a shoulder injury and did not produce anything, while Margaret completed a recognizable large-eyed child painting within an hour, proving she was the true artist.