Forgotten No More: Why Collectors Are Turning to Antique Paintings by Women

Why You Should Buy Antique Paintings by Female Artists

The art world is experiencing a long-overdue reckoning with its history of overlooking women artists. For centuries, female painters were marginalized, denied access to formal training, and often excluded from major exhibitions and institutions. Today, collectors and curators are beginning to correct that historical imbalance, and there’s never been a better time to buy antique paintings by female artists.

1. Reclaiming Forgotten Genius

Many women artists of the past were masters in their own right, yet their names were lost to time, overshadowed by male contemporaries or dismissed by critics. Figures like Artemisia Gentileschi, Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun, Rosa Bonheur, and Angelica Kauffman created groundbreaking work but were long underrepresented in galleries and museums.

By purchasing antique works by female artists, collectors play a crucial role in reclaiming and preserving this forgotten genius. Every acquisition becomes a form of advocacy, restoring visibility to talents who were unjustly overlooked.

2. A Fresh Perspective on Art History

Female artists often bring unique perspectives to traditional themes, be it portraiture, domestic life, mythology, or still life. Their works offer nuanced insights into the lives, struggles, and roles of women in different historical periods, adding a vital layer to our understanding of art history.

Buying these works isn't just about aesthetics, it's about engaging with a more complete and diverse cultural narrative.

3. Investment Potential

As the market begins to recognize the value of women artists, prices for their work are rising—but many remain underpriced relative to their male peers. For savvy collectors, this represents a rare opportunity to acquire high-quality antique art before it becomes fully appreciated in the mainstream market.

Auction results and museum exhibitions increasingly reflect this shift. Artists like Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt, and even lesser-known figures are gaining traction, suggesting the market correction is far from over.

• Over the past decade, woman artists has seen an increase of 194% in auction revenue reaching approximately $220 million in 2022

• Works by female artists exceeded $1 billion in annual auction turnover as of 2021—sustained for at least three years

4. Supporting Equity in the Arts

Collecting antique art by women isn't just about the past, it also impacts the future. As public and private collections diversify, institutions are more likely to exhibit these works, commission scholarship, and inspire a new generation of artists and art historians.

Your purchase helps shape a more equitable art world, one that honors talent regardless of gender.

(Painting by Amélie Beaury-Saurel, Portrait de femme, municipal museum, La Roche-sur-Yon)

5. A Deeper Connection

There’s something powerful about owning a piece of art created by someone who had to fight harder to be seen and heard. These works often carry emotional depth and historical weight that resonate beyond the canvas. Whether it’s a delicate 18th-century portrait, a 19th-century botanical study, or a quietly radical impressionist landscape, these pieces tell stories that still speak to us today.

In Summary

Buying antique paintings by female artists isn’t just a trend, it’s a meaningful, informed choice. It combines passion for art with a commitment to justice, historical accuracy, and aesthetic excellence. As interest continues to grow, now is the time to explore, collect, and champion the remarkable women whose art has too long remained in the shadows.