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Forgotten Women
Forgotten Women: The Artists
Forgotten Women is a new series of books that uncover the lost herstories of influential women who have refused over hundreds of years to accept the hand they've been dealt and, as a result, have formed, shaped and changed the course of our futures. From leaders and scientists to artists and writers, the fascinating stories of these women that time forgot are now celebrated, putting their achievements firmly back on the map.
The Artists brings together the stories of 48* brilliant woman artists who made huge yet unacknowledged contributions to the history of art, including Camille Claudel, the extraordinarily talented sculptor who was always unfairly overshadowed by her lover, Rodin; Baroness Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven, who has been claimed as the true originator of Marcel Duchamp's Fountain; and Ana Mendieta, the Cuban refugee who approached violence against women through her performance art before her own untimely death.
With chapters ranging from Figurative to Photography, and Craft to Conceptual, this is an alternative guide to art history that demonstrates the broad range of artistic movements that included, and were often pioneered by, female artists who have been largely overlooked.
*The number of Nobel-prize-winning women.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published October 2, 2018
25 people are currently reading
927 people want to read
About the author
Zing Tsjeng
8 books57 followersSingaporean author and jourmalist based in London. She is the author of the Forgotten Women book series.
She specializes in LGBTQ rights, politics, culture and lifestyle.
She specializes in LGBTQ rights, politics, culture and lifestyle.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 2, 2024
4.5 stars. reading vlog: https://youtu.be/b82234AUi40
LOVED this instalment in the series! I really enjoyed looking up each artist's work whilst reading and it really added to the reading experience
LOVED this instalment in the series! I really enjoyed looking up each artist's work whilst reading and it really added to the reading experience
June 27, 2022
A well-written and thoughtfully selected collection of short biographies of women in the arts that have mostly been forgotten. I really admire the author’s choice to include women of whom we hardly know anything, saving them from further erasure from history. The only fault, and it is a substantial one, is that the book doesn’t have any images of the works these women have created. Granted, the contemporary illustrations accompanying each biography are lovely, and I do respect the fact that there are a few women whose artworks are lost or unknown to us. But still, I had to keep my phone close at hand to see for myself what the vast majority of the women in this book has made — their works being, in the end, their most important quality.
December 22, 2018
As the title of this book tells us this work is a commendable attempt to help us un-forget some of the female artists history has not bothered to help us remember… Here, a total of 48 brief introductions are provided, under six artistic headings: Abstract (9 entries); Figurative (17); Performance and Conceptual (4); Craft (8); Photography (4); and Design (6). They make for fascinating and informative reading.
Perhaps more importantly the value of this collection lies in the extensive Bibliography section at the back of the book. Lots of information there! As such, the “extra” bits are an essential source-referencing where interested readers might follow up on individuals at their leisure. A word of warning, however: I have no way of knowing how accurate every bit of information might be, and it is important that these references are continuously re-checked and updated. The first reference under Australia in the Index, for example, gives us pages 194, 196–7 to refer to, but checking back it would seem that they should be listed under Africa. Another minor concern relates to the Illustrators who have provided rather delightful work to illustrate the main text of the book. There are eleven of them, and they have their references listed at pp. 214–7 which contain a brief paragraph on each, and in most cases an Internet reference to follow up on if so desired; but there is no mention which illustrator illustrated which of the 48 entries in the book…
Those minor quibbles aside, however, perhaps the most surprising thing about the main entries is just how enjoyable and informative they really are. Each of them really makes the reader want to know more about the persons involved; and that is the most important part. It encourages the reader to ponder and wonder at why these fascinating and immensely interesting women and their contributions to Art have been “overlooked”.
Recommended reading for all sexes of all kinds!
Perhaps more importantly the value of this collection lies in the extensive Bibliography section at the back of the book. Lots of information there! As such, the “extra” bits are an essential source-referencing where interested readers might follow up on individuals at their leisure. A word of warning, however: I have no way of knowing how accurate every bit of information might be, and it is important that these references are continuously re-checked and updated. The first reference under Australia in the Index, for example, gives us pages 194, 196–7 to refer to, but checking back it would seem that they should be listed under Africa. Another minor concern relates to the Illustrators who have provided rather delightful work to illustrate the main text of the book. There are eleven of them, and they have their references listed at pp. 214–7 which contain a brief paragraph on each, and in most cases an Internet reference to follow up on if so desired; but there is no mention which illustrator illustrated which of the 48 entries in the book…
Those minor quibbles aside, however, perhaps the most surprising thing about the main entries is just how enjoyable and informative they really are. Each of them really makes the reader want to know more about the persons involved; and that is the most important part. It encourages the reader to ponder and wonder at why these fascinating and immensely interesting women and their contributions to Art have been “overlooked”.
Recommended reading for all sexes of all kinds!
September 1, 2018
http://jessjustreads.com
The Writers and The Artists are the third and fourth books in the Forgotten Women series, each book focusing on a selection of women who shaped our history but whose contribution has largely been forgotten. Each book celebrates 48 women who were influential and inspiring. They made significant contributions to history.
This series is a favourite of mine. Earlier in the year, I read and reviewed the first two books in the series: The Leaders and the Scientists.
Each book is a beautiful hardback, with gorgeous illustrations to accompany each entry. I love that each women is dedicated approx. 2-3 pages for her story, because this allows us to understand who she was but at the same time, we aren’t bogged down with excess detail. This allows for a quick read.
“With William’s support, Margaret Cavendish was able to publish her own work, which included everything from philosophical treatises to plays and poetry. At a time when most female authors wrote anonymously, Margaret published under her own name.”
Readers of different ages, genders and backgrounds will find inspiration in these pages. The women were courages and ahead of their time, and their art and their words made a lasting impact on society. A lot of the women in these books I’d never heard of before, and it was great to discover and read about these amazing women from history.
Marjorie Cameron was a Los Angeles occultist who was known for her Surreal paintings that conjured up Jungian myth and aliens in coitus; Alma Thomas began painting vivid, abstract works after she retired at the age of 69; Carolina Maria De Jesus was a Brazilian writer and her country’s first black author.
“At the time, women were not allowed to make a living from their painting, but this was not for the reasons you might expect. The Qing dynasty believed that the greatest art was created only by educated amateurs who painted in the privacy of their home for leisure and enjoyment, and didn’t seek to profit from it like common tradesmen.”
Readers will find the Forgotten Women series a delight, the pages filled with gorgeous illustrations and remarkable stories.
Thank you to the publisher for mailing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Writers and The Artists are the third and fourth books in the Forgotten Women series, each book focusing on a selection of women who shaped our history but whose contribution has largely been forgotten. Each book celebrates 48 women who were influential and inspiring. They made significant contributions to history.
This series is a favourite of mine. Earlier in the year, I read and reviewed the first two books in the series: The Leaders and the Scientists.
Each book is a beautiful hardback, with gorgeous illustrations to accompany each entry. I love that each women is dedicated approx. 2-3 pages for her story, because this allows us to understand who she was but at the same time, we aren’t bogged down with excess detail. This allows for a quick read.
“With William’s support, Margaret Cavendish was able to publish her own work, which included everything from philosophical treatises to plays and poetry. At a time when most female authors wrote anonymously, Margaret published under her own name.”
Readers of different ages, genders and backgrounds will find inspiration in these pages. The women were courages and ahead of their time, and their art and their words made a lasting impact on society. A lot of the women in these books I’d never heard of before, and it was great to discover and read about these amazing women from history.
Marjorie Cameron was a Los Angeles occultist who was known for her Surreal paintings that conjured up Jungian myth and aliens in coitus; Alma Thomas began painting vivid, abstract works after she retired at the age of 69; Carolina Maria De Jesus was a Brazilian writer and her country’s first black author.
“At the time, women were not allowed to make a living from their painting, but this was not for the reasons you might expect. The Qing dynasty believed that the greatest art was created only by educated amateurs who painted in the privacy of their home for leisure and enjoyment, and didn’t seek to profit from it like common tradesmen.”
Readers will find the Forgotten Women series a delight, the pages filled with gorgeous illustrations and remarkable stories.
Thank you to the publisher for mailing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 24, 2018
As I mentioned in my previous post, earlier this year I reviewed the first two books in this wonderful and empowering series: The Leaders and The Scientists.
They were both so nice and full of interesting lives, that I just HAD to check out the latest additions.
Just like the others, the first thing that stands out about this book is how pretty the pages are. The words within are as colourful as the illustrations, but nothing shines brighter than the actual lives and talents of so many gifted, yet forgotten, women.
I'm not very good at art, but I've always been interested in many different artistic styles and find a LOT of inspiration in artwork. So discovering so many women I didn't know about, as well as their varied styles, is something I've really enjoyed doing.
Forgotten Women: The Artists is as informative as the previous books, and stunning in its presentation. Ranging from abstract, to performance, craft, photography and design, this edition covers a broad range of artistic flair and the women who create it.
This series deserves a place on my keeper shelf, but more importantly, they're history books that everyone should read!
They were both so nice and full of interesting lives, that I just HAD to check out the latest additions.
Just like the others, the first thing that stands out about this book is how pretty the pages are. The words within are as colourful as the illustrations, but nothing shines brighter than the actual lives and talents of so many gifted, yet forgotten, women.
I'm not very good at art, but I've always been interested in many different artistic styles and find a LOT of inspiration in artwork. So discovering so many women I didn't know about, as well as their varied styles, is something I've really enjoyed doing.
Forgotten Women: The Artists is as informative as the previous books, and stunning in its presentation. Ranging from abstract, to performance, craft, photography and design, this edition covers a broad range of artistic flair and the women who create it.
This series deserves a place on my keeper shelf, but more importantly, they're history books that everyone should read!
May 12, 2025
All opinions are entirely my own. I am in no way affiliated with the author or publisher. Remember to support your local indie bookstore and library!
⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨ ᰔ ୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
"If there is anything that connects the 48 women in this book, it is that they possessed the drive and self-understanding that connects all great artists. They were not motivated by the need for public adulation or money - in fact, many of them didn't make a penny from their work."
- [ ] Star Rating: 4 Stars
- [ ] Discovery: Browsing
- [ ] Reading Format: Physical
- [ ] Read Time: 2 Hours
The Artists brings together the stories of brilliant woman artists who made huge yet unacknowledged contributions to the history of art and demonstrates the broad range of artistic movements that included and were often pioneered by female artists who have been largely overlooked.
This was a really interesting book to be able to read through a few chapters and then come back later. It could have been better if there were examples of the artists' creations when available but I suppose that's just further respect for the reader.
'Normal Women' by Philippa Gregory is another interesting book about women who accomplished things that aren't faulted in the titles of history books.
Honestly would buy this as a coffee table book.
⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨ ᰔ ୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
"If there is anything that connects the 48 women in this book, it is that they possessed the drive and self-understanding that connects all great artists. They were not motivated by the need for public adulation or money - in fact, many of them didn't make a penny from their work."
- [ ] Star Rating: 4 Stars
- [ ] Discovery: Browsing
- [ ] Reading Format: Physical
- [ ] Read Time: 2 Hours
The Artists brings together the stories of brilliant woman artists who made huge yet unacknowledged contributions to the history of art and demonstrates the broad range of artistic movements that included and were often pioneered by female artists who have been largely overlooked.
This was a really interesting book to be able to read through a few chapters and then come back later. It could have been better if there were examples of the artists' creations when available but I suppose that's just further respect for the reader.
'Normal Women' by Philippa Gregory is another interesting book about women who accomplished things that aren't faulted in the titles of history books.
Honestly would buy this as a coffee table book.
April 23, 2020
I had been reading this book alongside my other novels and I was so fascinated to have found a keen inclination towards a whole new form of Art, i.e. Art itself. Apart from Frida Kahlo, I am sure I couldnt bother to even look up more female artists and this book made me realise there is so much more and so many others to discover. The literary world needed a series like this for sure.
August 15, 2021
The book gives a short overview of 48 female artists of different disciplines, highlighting their (often overlooked) role in the history of art. I felt that the introductions were perhaps too brief and somewhat superficial and at times the “forgotten” factor too forced, trying to fit the lives of women from centuries ago into the framework of modern feminism.
December 26, 2020
This book was amazing! I think the only thing I would've liked would have been that pictures of these women's art pieces would have been included (when possible) but regardless I cannot wait to read Zing
Tsjeng's other Forgotten Women series!
Tsjeng's other Forgotten Women series!
October 9, 2022
Very enlightening that there are so many brilliant but sadly forgotten women artists. However, should there be any available work that was produced by these remarkable people to be included in this book, that would be awesome.
December 4, 2020
Wonderful to read about women who paved the way. Wonderful to remember we aren’t alone in the vacuum of history.
March 10, 2022
A great book full of amazing artists who are finally getting their due appreciation. All the biographies in the book are short, charming and well-written and the illustrations are also very good!
November 15, 2022
Interesting. Too bad there weren't any pictures of these women's work.
May 30, 2020
Excellent. Loved learning about amazing women who will hopefully not be forgotten. Because of this book I am now a big fan of Marlow Moss.
September 26, 2021
book 31
really manageable way to learn snippets about some important female artists - I really appreciate the series this author does with women in history and everyone should read a bit of it!
really manageable way to learn snippets about some important female artists - I really appreciate the series this author does with women in history and everyone should read a bit of it!
August 19, 2018
‘The women who shaped and were erased from our history. FORGOTTEN WOMEN is a new series of books that uncover the lost her-stories of influential women who have refused over hundreds of years to accept the hand they’ve been dealt and, as a result, have formed, shaped and changed the course of our futures. From leaders and scientists to artists and writers, the fascinating stories of these women that time forgot are now celebrated, putting their achievements firmly back on the map.
The Writers celebrates unsung genius female writers from throughout history and across the world, including the Girl Stunt Reporters, who went undercover to write exposes on the ills of 1890s America; Aemilia Lanyer, the contemporary of Shakespeare whose polemical re-writing of The Bible’s Passion Story is regarded as one of the earliest feminist works of literature; and Sarojini Naidu, the freedom fighter and ‘Nightingale of India’ whose poetry echoed her political desire for Indian independence.
Including writers from across a wide spectrum of disciplines including poets, journalists, novelists, essayists and diarists, this is an alternative gynocentric history of literature that will surprise, empower, and leave you with a reading list a mile long.’
This book was amazing.
I loved this book. I was so excited to read it and it did not disappoint. I was actually pleased to find that I had heard of a few of these women; not many, but a few. I am actually excited to start researching more into those who I have just found out about.
The amazing women featured in this book were truly inspirational. I was overwhelmed when reading their amazing and sometimes heartbreaking stories. I found myself genuinely emotional as I made my way through this book.
One of the things I loved most about this book was the amazing Illustrations. The illustrations really complemented the information about these amazing Female writers and added an extra layer to this wonderful book.
I truly believe that this book should be read by everyone regardless of age, gender or religion. There is something for everyone in this book and these amazing women deserve to have their stories read.
Forgotten Women: The Writers by Zing Tsjeng is an absolute must read for everyone.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
The Writers celebrates unsung genius female writers from throughout history and across the world, including the Girl Stunt Reporters, who went undercover to write exposes on the ills of 1890s America; Aemilia Lanyer, the contemporary of Shakespeare whose polemical re-writing of The Bible’s Passion Story is regarded as one of the earliest feminist works of literature; and Sarojini Naidu, the freedom fighter and ‘Nightingale of India’ whose poetry echoed her political desire for Indian independence.
Including writers from across a wide spectrum of disciplines including poets, journalists, novelists, essayists and diarists, this is an alternative gynocentric history of literature that will surprise, empower, and leave you with a reading list a mile long.’
This book was amazing.
I loved this book. I was so excited to read it and it did not disappoint. I was actually pleased to find that I had heard of a few of these women; not many, but a few. I am actually excited to start researching more into those who I have just found out about.
The amazing women featured in this book were truly inspirational. I was overwhelmed when reading their amazing and sometimes heartbreaking stories. I found myself genuinely emotional as I made my way through this book.
One of the things I loved most about this book was the amazing Illustrations. The illustrations really complemented the information about these amazing Female writers and added an extra layer to this wonderful book.
I truly believe that this book should be read by everyone regardless of age, gender or religion. There is something for everyone in this book and these amazing women deserve to have their stories read.
Forgotten Women: The Writers by Zing Tsjeng is an absolute must read for everyone.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews