The role of women in art history – from artist to fashion icon

For a long time, women appeared in art only on the canvas itself, almost never holding a paintbrush, and when they did, their works were rarely seen. Nevertheless, there were female artists who managed to make a name for themselves.

Some of them have had a lasting impact on society. Their influence is evident in fashion, among other things.

The absence of the female artist

Anyone who recalls the names of great artists will quickly realize that there is probably not a single woman among them. The reasons for this are manifold and were discussed in detail by art historian Linda Nochlin in her essay " Why have there been no great women artists?"

In it, she criticized the male-dominated society and argued that women had no chance of being recognized as artistic geniuses under these conditions.

The woman from the man's point of view

For a long time, art was therefore primarily dominated by white men. However, since women were part of the everyday lives of many of these men, the female sex often served as inspiration for numerous works of art that are still world-famous today.

artistic periods, women are often depicted as objects of desire or declared untouchable saints.

These depictions in art generally have little to do with self-determination. Because they always focus on the male perspective.

The artist as an exception to the rule

Even though women were given little space as active participants in the art world, there were still female artists who achieved a high level of fame despite all the resistance.

The Mexican artist Frida Kahlo is likely a household name for almost every art enthusiast. She considered herself her own muse and, as a logical consequence, frequently painted herself. Her expressive self-portraits and her unique style of dress remain iconic to this day and demonstrate the profound influence women can have on society.

A fashion icon spanning generations

Through her deliberate self-presentation, Frida Kahlo from an artist into an influencer, showcasing a new, self-determined side of women. To this day, her distinctive look continues to influence the entire fashion world.

With her bushy eyebrows and mustache, she demonstrated the diversity of female appearance. In contrast to these supposedly masculine features, Frida Kahlo wore long, flowing skirts with colorful designs and vibrant flower crowns for many years, clearly conveying a feminine aura.

In fact, the skirts also a social commentary . Frida Kahlo was inspired by an ethnic group from the Tehuantepec region where women hold power.

Individual elements of her look are reflected in today's pop culture. For example, US singer Lana Del Rey is a self-confessed Frida Kahlo fan and frequently wears large, opulent flower crowns. But the world's leading fashion designers also emulate Frida Kahlo's colorful and expressive style.

Frida Kahlo is featured in Vogue

Frida Kahlo first appeared in American Vogue in 1937, becoming a style icon during her lifetime. Although she didn't make the cover that year, she was featured in an editorial titled "Senoritas of Mexico," thus finding her way into countless American homes.

That her influence is far from over is evident from the fact that she was featured again by Vogue This time, the editors even dedicated a cover to her.

A source of inspiration for the greatest designers

Jean-Paul Gaultier frequently incorporates elements of Frida Kahlo's style into his collections. Furthermore, he drew inspiration from the Mexican artist for the costume design of the lead actress in the hit film "The Fifth Element ." She herself had painted herself wearing a similar corset. In 1998, he also dedicated several dresses to her in his spring collection, themed "Mexico."

Karl Lagerfeld had Claudia Schiffer pose like Frida Kahlo Dolce & Gabbana combined contemporary fashion with Frida Kahlo's look, for example using her iconic headdress to pair with black lace dresses. Givenchy was influenced by Frida Kahlo's dresses, skirts, and corsets, but opted for muted colors rather than vibrant splendor.

All these examples demonstrate the enduring influence of this exceptional artist and the diverse interpretations of her look. Her influence is still felt today, where are just as popular as colorful skirts

Frida Kahlo not only made herself immortal with her paintings, but also with her impact on the fashion world – even though she was a marginal figure in the art of the early 20th century as a woman.

Joachim Rodriguez y Romero

Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza. Journalist, editor, and passionate blogger in the field of art, design, and creativity since 2011. Successful completion of a degree in web design as part of a university study (2008). Further development of creativity techniques through courses in free drawing, expressive painting, and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with actors/institutions from art and culture.

www.kunstplaza.de