Women Artists in Midcentury America: A History in Ten Exhibitions

The untold story of women artists in the United States and the social impact of their work during the crucial decades of the 1950s to the 1970s.

In Women Artists in Midcentury America, readers embark on a journey spanning two decades, delving into the evolving social and artistic landscapes through the lens of all-women exhibitions. These groundbreaking projects courageously confronted issues of sexual and racial discrimination, igniting profound discussions about women’s roles within modernism and democracy. Looking closely at the inception and reception of these exhibitions by curators, artists, critics, and the public, the book sheds light on the remarkable contributions of numerous artists, from Ruth Asawa to Marguerite Zorach. By foregrounding the accomplishments of women artists during a conservative period overshadowed by the feminist movement of the 1970s, Daniel Belasco provides a fresh perspective on the complex history of women’s art in America and its significance in the broader art world.