'An impeccably researched and illuminating history of the all-woman exhibition in the United States, prior to the emergence of the Women’s Movement.' - Jo Applin, The Courtauld Institute of Art
In Women Artists in Midcentury America, readers embark on a two-decade-long exploration into evolving social and artistic landscapes through 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, Daniel Belasco 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 later overshadowed by the feminist movement, Belasco provides a fresh perspective on the complex history of women’s art in America and its significance in the broader art world.