The exhibition "Now You See Us: Women Artists in Britain 1520-1920" is currently being held at Tate Britain from May 16 to October 13, 2024. This showcase delves into the contributions of British women artists who, despite facing societal limitations and prejudices, emerged as professional painters, sculptors, printmakers, and photographers.
Featured prominently are historic and influential figures such as Artemisia Gentileschi, who is celebrated for her work "Self-Portrait as the Allegory of Painting" (c. 1638-1639), and Angelica Kauffman, whose painting "Invention" (1778) challenges traditional gender roles in creativity. The exhibition encompasses a broad array of lesser-known women, drawing attention to a spectrum of artistic styles and the confines placed on women artists historically.
Significant sections highlight artists from different eras, such as the Victorian period, where figures like Henrietta Rae and Annie Louise Swinnerton began to challenge conventional narratives through their art. Additionally, works from the early 20th century by artists including Ethel Sands and Dame Laura Knight are showcased, the latter providing a palpable sense of the female condition through her depictions of women on isolated Cornish cliff tops.
Though the exhibition features numerous talented women, it also prompts reflections on the authenticity and innovation in some of the displayed works, with some critiques noting that many pieces conform to established male-dominated art styles. Despite this, the show offers a comprehensive exploration of the evolution and challenges faced by women artists in Britain over four centuries.