We are pleased to present a representative group of American women printmakers whose work spans an historic period in the graphic arts.
Women printmakers in the early 20th century were usually relegated to a lower position then their male counterparts. However during the Great Depression and the coming of the WPA's Graphic Arts Division of the Federal Arts Project women finally came into own. Women were added to the rolls as equals and were paid the same as men, were as adept in their designs and so they began to thrive.
Many of these women, whether they were on the project or on their own, became important printmakers e.g. Peggy Bacon, Isabel Bishop, Lucienne Bloch, Elizabeth Catlett, Minna Citron and many others.
Important references include, Paths to the Press , PRINTMAKING AND AMERICAN WOMEN ARTISTS , 1910 – 1960, Elizabeth G. Seaton. AMERICAN WOMEN AT WORK , Prints by Women Artists of the Nineteen Thirties , Mary Francey.
