Her Art, Part 1: Trailblazers of the Early Modern Period

Before women had access to formal academies and artistic training, they found ways to defy expectations and make their mark.

Presented in celebration of Women’s History Month, 'Her Art: The Legacy of Women Artists Through the Ages' explores the powerful and often overlooked contributions of women to the history of art.

For centuries, women artists have created powerful, innovative works while navigating social, institutional, and cultural barriers that limited their visibility and recognition. Despite these constraints, they forged artistic careers, shaped major movements, and left a lasting impact on the history of art.

This four-part lecture series traces the evolving role of women artists from the early modern period to the mid-20th century. Each session focuses on a pivotal moment in art history, highlighting women from different countries and artistic traditions while examining both their creative achievements and the obstacles they faced.

From early pioneers working within courtly, familial, and religious contexts to modern artists who reclaimed authorship and artistic authority, Her Art offers a richly contextualized reassessment of women’s contributions to the visual arts.

Join Tosca Ruggieri in rediscovering these artists and the worlds in which they lived and worked—placing them back at the center of the story of art.

📅 March 3

Session I — Trailblazers of the Early Modern Period (17th Century and Before)

Session summary

Before women had access to formal academies and artistic training, they found ways to defy expectations and make their mark.

Description

This lecture explores the pioneering women artists of the Renaissance and Baroque periods—painters, sculptors, and artisans who navigated courtly patronage, convent workshops, and family studios to establish their careers. From Sofonisba Anguissola’s refined portraits to Artemisia Gentileschi’s dramatic Baroque canvases, we’ll examine how these artists overcame social restrictions to gain recognition in a male-dominated field.

Some of the artists featured include:

Sofonisba Anguissola · Artemisia Gentileschi · Lavinia Fontana · Properzia de’ Rossi · Judith Leyster

📅 March 17

Session II — Women Artists in the Age of Revolution (18th & 19th Centuries)

Session summary

As revolutions reshaped societies across Europe and the Americas, women artists began to claim new artistic and professional freedoms.

Description

The 18th and 19th centuries saw shifting opportunities for women artists, from court portraitists like Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun to Impressionist innovators such as Berthe Morisot. This session explores how women navigated academies, salons, economic change, and evolving social expectations to establish lasting legacies—often in spite of institutional barriers.

Some of the artists featured include:

Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun · Angelica Kauffman · Rosa Bonheur · Berthe Morisot · Mary Cassatt

📅 March 24

Session III — Breaking Boundaries at the Dawn of Modernism (1900–1930)

Session summary

At the turn of the 20th century, women artists played a crucial role in shaping modernism, even as their contributions were often marginalized.

Description

Between 1900 and 1930, women artists emerged as vital contributors to modernism, experimenting with abstraction, symbolism, expressionism, and new approaches to form and identity. This session examines how artists working in Europe and the Americas engaged with avant-garde movements while navigating gendered limitations within artistic circles and institutions.

Some of the artists featured include:

Paula Modersohn-Becker · Suzanne Valadon · Sonia Delaunay · Natalia Goncharova · Romaine Brook

📅 March 31

Session IV — Reclaiming Authority in the Modern World (1930–1960)

Session summary

Women artists forcefully reclaimed their role as creators and innovators in the mid-20th century.

Description

Spanning decades marked by war, exile, and reconstruction, this lecture examines how women artists transformed modernism from within. From Surrealism and abstraction to photography and assemblage, we’ll explore how women forged independent artistic identities, developed new visual languages, and asserted artistic authority within a rapidly changing art world.

Some of the artists featured include:

Leonora Carrington · Dorothea Tanning · Dorothea Lange · Barbara Hepworth · Helen Frankenthaler · Ruth Asawa

Previous guests reviews:

‘I so enjoyed Tosca Ruggieri's art lessons! She prepares them in depth, with colorful commentaries and accompanying images to bring the lecture to life! I will sign up again soon. She also speaks fluent French, English and Italian and brings her worldliness to every enlightening lecture.’ Anita B.

‘I wholeheartedly recommend Tosca’s excellent art events. They are very well researched, fascinating, and captivating!’ Linda M.

‘Tosca is such a treasure trove of knowledge and curious insights. Love her lectures, blogs and newsletter as I always leave learning new things in an accessible yet comprehensive way.’ Daniela T.

‘Very knowledgeable , good communicator and amicable.’ Juan M. F.
'Thank you. Beautiful and informative presentation. I enjoy your presentations.' Leslie S.

'Excellent webinar: very informative, great slides and Tosca was a first-rate presenter!'

'Tosca really knows her stuff and how to present it in an enlightening way!'

'Tosca's webinars are always wonderful, so informative, and entertaining'

Please note: each session will be recorded and available for replay for 7 days; tickets are non-refundable.

About Tosca Ruggieri

Tosca Ruggieri is an independent art historian and lecturer specializing in European art and cultural history. Based in Washington, D.C., she regularly presents lectures for cultural institutions and private audiences, both online and in person. Tosca also leads curated tours in the leading art museums of the U.S. capital, offering in-depth and engaging experiences that connect artworks to their historical and social contexts.

Franco-Italian by background, Tosca previously worked in the art market in London galleries and for a prominent private collector before founding Art with Tosca, through which she offers intimate, research-driven lectures and museum experiences. Her work focuses on artists, collectors, and cultural figures who have shaped art history—often bringing overlooked stories and perspectives back into the spotlight.

To find out more www.artwithtosca.com