written by art historian & curator Mihaela Manolche
What comes to mind when you think of art? Masterpieces displayed in grand galleries, the works of celebrated painters and sculptors? How many of these names belong to women? In pre-19th century society, women’s engagement with the arts was often dismissed as a pastime, to occupy idle hours rather than a professional expression. Their artistic pursuits were largely confined to activities considered ”appropriate” for their gender — embroidery, miniature painting, or botanical illustration. These hobbies reinforced the idea that women’s art was purely recreational.
Despite obstacles, women cultivated artistic traditions that enriched their lives and, quietly yet profoundly, the broader cultural landscape. Their work, though often overlooked or dismissed, tells a story of resilience, creativity, and an unyielding desire to make beauty in restrictive circumstances. How did societal norms dictate what women could and could not do? What were the educational barriers imposed by families and institutions? Why were embroidery and illustration forms of undervalued artistic expression?
Art as a Domestic Activity
In many societies, artistic pursuits by women were confined to forms that aligned with their prescribed domestic roles. Needlework, embroidery, miniature…
