Unforgettable - by Virginia Treanor & Frederica Dam & Manfred Sellink & Susan Fisher (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Unforgettable highlights over 40 female artists from the seventeenth-century Low Countries, challenging their historical obscurity and showcasing their diverse contributions to art. Accompanies an exhibition at NMWA from 26 September 2025 to 11 January 2026, and at MSK from 7 March 2026 to 31 May 2026.

The catalog spotlights the overlooked contributions of female artists in the 17th-century Low Countries. While renowned male artists like Rembrandt and Vermeer have long dominated art history, female artists such as Clara Peeters and Michaelina Wautier have received limited recognition. This book challenges the notion that women were exceptions in the art world, showcasing works by over 40 artists across diverse media, including painting, sculpture, embroidery, and glass etching. It also highlights the socio-economic contexts that shaped their careers, exploring themes of identity, ambition, social expectations, and artistic networks. By reevaluating the hierarchy between "fine" and "applied" arts, the book underscores the significant role women played in the artistic economy. Through a thematic approach, Unforgettable aims to restore long-overdue recognition to these artists. Featuring works by: Maria Monincx, Johanna Koerten, Anna Maria De Koker, Maria Verelst, Maria De Grebber, Maria Strick, Elisabeth Rijberg, Josina Margareta Weenix, Anna Maria Janssens Cornelia Van Der Mijn e.a.

About the Author

Dr. Frederica Van Dam is the Curator of Old Masters at MSK Ghent. Specializing in Early Modern Flemish painting, she co-curated Van Eyck - An Optical Revolution and led the first monographic show on Theodoor Rombouts. Dr. Virginia Treanor is the Senior Curator at the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) in Washington, D.C. She earned her Ph.D. in 17th-century Dutch and Flemish art from the University of Maryland. Since joining NMWA in 2012, Dr. Treanor has curated numerous exhibitions, including multiple installments of the "Women to Watch" series.