Michaelina Wautier

Long attributed to male artists, Michaelina Wautier was once another overlooked woman whose brilliance went unrecognized. Since her rediscovery in the 1970s, this Flemish Baroque painter has steadily gained the recognition she deserves. This exhibition gathers nearly her entire body of work, further cementing her place in art history.

Achieving recognition as a female artist in the 17th century was nearly inconceivable. Yet, despite Michaelina’s exceptional talent, which rivaled that of her male counterparts, her body of work has largely faded into obscurity. Today, around thirty of her works are known, showcasing both a mastery of ambitious themes and exceptional technical skill. Female artists during this period were exceedingly rare, but Michaelina stood apart, brimming with both talent and confidence. What sets her apart from other women in the field is the remarkable range of genres she explored. In addition to creating portraits and genre scenes, she boldly tackled large-scale history paintings—an accomplishment that even many male artists of the time dared not attempt.