Now You See Us: Women Artists in Britain 1520–1920

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From Tudor times to the First World War, this exhibition book explores the journeys of women artists in Britain who sought professional recognition. Featuring figures like Levina Teerlinc, a miniaturist at Elizabeth I's court, and Laura Knight, the first woman elected to the Royal Academy in over 150 years, it highlights women's significant presence in the art world. Defying societal expectations of domesticity, these artists pursued public careers, creating history pieces, battle scenes, and nudes—genres typically dominated by men. The book examines the careers of artists such as Mary Beale, Angelica Kauffman, and Elizabeth, Lady Butler, challenging the stereotype of women as mere amateur watercolourists. It reveals them as determined professionals who navigated a male-dominated art world, often excluded from formal training and institutions. Ellen Creathorne Clayton noted in 1876 that women artists had left "faintly impressed footprints on the sands of time." This work counters that notion by analyzing the reception of women's art, their voices regarding their status, and their connections to women's rights campaigns. Ultimately, it illuminates the true legacy and place of women artists in art history. Tabitha Barber serves as Curator of British Art, 1500–1750 at Tate Britain, with Tim Batchelor as an Assistant Curator.