“HerStory” Artists Share Their Favorites and Tell Us Why
When we invited artists to submit their art for the “HerStory” 2026 Online Exhibition we asked them to tell us who their favorite women artist is from history and why. We are delighted to share some of the artists’ responses.
We hope you enjoy reading this article “Favorite Women Artists from Art History”.
You will probably not be surprised to learn that Georgia O’Keeffe, Frida Kahlo, Marie Cassatt, and Camille Claudel are very popular among contemporary artists. More artists who were among the favorites include Hilma af Klint, Emily Mason, Alice Neel, Emily Carr, Berthe Morisot, and Remedios Varo.
Georgia O’Keeffe
Georgia O’Keeffe, “Red Canna”, oil, created in 1919, Current location: High Museum of Art, Atlanta. Public domain in the U.S.
Sandra Belitza-Vazquez wrote: Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings of the structures of flora, and their relationship to one another, have subconsciously influenced how I see and relate to plants. The abstractness of close-ups and the relationships of parts to the whole, as affected by light and shade, are the starting points for my flower and plant photography.
Corina Ioana shared: “My favorite artist is Georgia O’Keeffe. I discovered her after others compared my sensual floral photography to her work. Coming from Romania, I felt an unexpected connection—our shared exploration of femininity through nature. Her bold, intimate vision inspires me to express sensuality, identity, and emotion unapologetically through my own imagery.”
Kirsty Wain explained: “Throughout 26 years of teaching art, I have consistently returned to Georgia O’Keeffe. I am captivated by her command of natural forms and her fearless, bold confidence in distilling the landscape. Her pioneering use of colour and ability to capture the spiritual essence of a subject continues to inspire my own journey as I interpret the ancient energy of Spain.”
Frida Kahlo
“Frida Kahlo. The Two Fridas”, 1939, oil on canvas, 5’9″ x 5’9″. Museum of Modern Art, Mexico City. Fair use, en.wikipedia.org
Nancy V Ridenour stated: “Frida Kahlo is a tremendous inspiration in that her whole life is involved in her paintings. After enduring an unfortunate accident, she continued to paint while in a hospital bed. She also faced infidelity by Diego Rivera who she loved with passion. Her determination to continue her art despite physical constraints is an excellent role model.”
Sharon Trickett wrote about Frida: “Her artwork is stunning! Her tragic story and how she channeled her such immense pain and suffering into her art. She also defied gender stereotypes and much, more. Her story spoke to my soul. One of my favorite pieces is The Wounded Deer.”
C Bangs chose Frida Kahlo because “She merged her pain, lineage and mentor into art that continues to inspire.”
Mary Cassatt
Mary Cassatt, “Mother Combing Her Child’s Hair”, pastel painting. Photo: Public Domain.
Lis Zadravec explained: “Mary Cassatt has always been my favorite for telling the personal stories of girls and women from female perspective. Although “keeping up with the boys” in the Impressionist movement. What I love most is that she could Really Draw! If I could speak back into time, I’d tell her to forget the Impressionist Boys and just DRAW!”
Frances Gunther stated: “I admire the American artist, Mary Cassatt. She lived from 1844-1926, and despite the position of women, she was determined to be a professional artist. She was outspoken about women’s equality. Despite the difficulty in selling her work in her earlier years, she persisted to paint and exhibit. Cassatt’s paintings of figures are beautiful and depict the lives of women.”
Fulya Acikgoz stated: “Mary Cassatt’s work moves me with its remarkable sensitivity and softness. I deeply admire her ability to portray intimate human moments with elegance and emotional depth. Her gentle brushwork and subtle compositions create a timeless sense of warmth, revealing the beauty of everyday life with sincerity and quiet strength.”
Camille Claudel
Camille Claudel, “Sakountala”, sculpture (marble), 1905, Musée Rodin, Paris. Photo: Public domain.
Carole Claude T. explained: “I was first drawn to Camille Claudel when I encountered her marble sculpture Sakuntala—so tender, so full of unspoken longing. Later, as I read her biography, the tangled currents of love and betrayal, and the slow descent that comes from being sidelined resonated with me. Sadly, the fragile line between creative brilliance and tragic heartbreak is not so uncommon!”
Paula Prentice exuded: “The French sculptor, Camille Claudel is my favourite female artist from history. Her work has an intensity and passion that I find incredibly moving and beautiful. Her talent outlasted and outshone all the obstacles of her time, society, relationships, and herself.”
Hilma af Klint
Hilma af Klint, The Ten Largest, No. 7., Adulthood, Group IV, 1907. Tempera on paper mounted on canvas, 315 x 235 cm. Stiftelsen Hilma af Klints Verk. Photo: Albin Dahlström/Moderna Museet.
Nancy Reyner wrote: “Hilma af Klint is my favorite female artist — alongside Martha Graham in dance — as both women fearlessly pushed boundaries in their respective art forms at a time when being a woman made that a remarkable act of courage.”
Eva Breitfuss told us: “My favorite female artist is Hilma af Klint. I admire her for creating abstract, visionary works before abstraction was recognized. Her paintings merge spirituality, geometry, and intuition, revealing unseen dimensions. She trusted her inner voice over external validation, making her practice both radical and deeply personal.”
A Few More Favorite Artists
Berthe Morisot. The Cradle, In French: “Mme Pontillon et sa fille Blanche”, oil on canvas, 46″ x 56″. Photo: Public Domain.
Sandra Gittleman wrote: “Berthe Morisot was the first all women art show I attended which marked me. She was not represented well by museums nor art history books, so this collection was rare. Her oil paintings were atmospheric and brushwork mesmerizing, especially those of women and children. I loved that her patrons were other Impressionist artists like Monet, Renoir, Pissarro and Cassatt.”
Heather Stivison wrote: “I admire the work and persona of American abstract painter Emily Mason, known for Abstract Expressionist and color field painting with lyrical veils of color on unprimed surfaces. She and husband Wolf Kahn maintained separate art studios throughout 62 years of marriage. Her legacy continues in the Emily Mason and Alice Trumbull Mason Foundation, offering opportunities for traditionally underrepresented artists.”
Sharon Matusiak stated: “Alice Neel has been one of my favorite female artists for decades. She had an impact on my work early in my career as I responded to her vivid color and bold expression. She was fearless in portraying her subjects with character. I still admire her spontaneity and juicy brushwork.”
Barbara Brown explained: “Emily Carr — Her life, her eccentricity, her courage, her adventurousness, her astounding talent. I am in awe of her, with her profound connection with, and ability to portray and capture the essence of, the remote old-growth rainforests of the wild west coast of British Columbia, Canada and the indigenous peoples who have held these lands sacred for millennia.”
Debora Levy shared: “I deeply admire Remedios Varo for her poetic imagination and dreamlike worlds. Her paintings feel like quiet journeys into the subconscious, where mystery, symbolism, and delicate detail come together beautifully. She transforms the ordinary into something magical, inviting us to reflect, feel, and wonder. Her work inspires me to explore beyond reality and trust the power of imagination.”
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