Women Artists Hardcover – Special Edition, 30 May 2005

Very informative, concise book of Art with key illustrations of female artists' work.Great book to hold, high quality paper.

Useful as a compendium but terribly small print.

Thanks and greetings!

This is one of Taschen's Icons series that approach a variety of subjects, many purely photographic - which is my major interest, but also several that deal with the wider fields of art.The description of 'artist' in this book is a general and generous one, including the traditional interpretation of 'art' plus photographers and workers in other media. Thus are included some familiar names such as Tracey Emin, Barbara Hepworth, Frida Kahlo, Georgia O'Keeffe and about 40 others, most of whom are less widely known. The four mentioned could hardly be any different from each other and the remainder are no less a mixed bag.As with other titles within the 'Icons' series, the editor's (editors') choice may be contentious and is often German or European-oriented, reflecting the identity and location of the publisher. For its variety of subjects, the inclusion of many probably unfamiliar names, and the variety of types of art included, the book provides an interesting mix in a small and convenient package. However, the book's small size and the limited space provided for its illustrations, may not provide the subjects their full justice. The smallness of many illustrations is therefore a limiting factor.Useful as an introduction and inexpensive. I received a copy as a gift.

Women Artists is a fascinating introduction to the life and works of 56 women artists who have made a major contribution to 20th Century art, and who are producing work today.It can be argued that the gender of the artist is irrelevant today, but it was not so in the past, when women were excluded from the academies and art schools. It was only in the 20th Century that society's attitudes changed to allow women to be taken seriously as fine artists, and participate fully in the Art world.The book features work from a wide range of media, including painting and drawing, sculpture and assemblage, video and performance art, film and photography.The artists featured include artists from the early 20th century, such as Natalia Goncharova and Sonia Delaunay, through to artists of today such as Rachel Whitehead and Rebecca Horn. There are famous artists and work by lesser known ones. The themes, and styles of these works, are as diverse as the women producing them.