3 Notable 20th Century Women Artists & A New Name To Watch

Female artists are now internationally recognised and are fast achieving parity with men on the global stage, but throughout much of history, women have found themselves unfairly sidelined in the art world. Their work has all too often been underestimated by critics, despite being as profound, beautiful and thought-provoking as any art produced by men. 

Here are three 20th century women artists who may not be household names, but have made a huge contribution to the world of art nonetheless. These exciting and original artists have rarely received the same attention from the art establishment as their male peers, but they have certainly paved the way for today’s emerging female artists.

Paula Modersohn-Becker (1876-1907)

On the cusp of the 19th and 20th century is the German painter Paula Modersohn-Becker, who died tragically early from postpartum pulmonary embolism at the age of 31. Her work focused on the female figure and motherhood, and her revolutionary approach reveals the spirituality as well as the naturalness of her subjects.

The art world of the time expected to see the female form interpreted by the male gaze, and as such Modersohn-Becker’s decidedly female vision was largely dismissed by male critics. However, her work is now recognised as groundbreaking thanks to the work of feminist art critics who have championed her brief but bold career. 

Lee Krasner (1908-1984)

Lee Krasner was an abstract expressionist painter whose career was unfairly eclipsed by that of her husband, the painter Jackson Pollock. In fact, Krasner was already an established painter with at least 20 years of work behind her when she married, and she continued to create art for another three decades after Pollock’s untimely death at the age of 44. 

Her early work is not completely abstract, but was influenced by Cubism and she carried this style through to her later more abstract pieces. Her bold large-scale works bristle with raw psychological energy, and she was one of the few women to be accepted into the inner circle of the New York abstract expressionist scene of the mid 20th century. 

Kara Walker (b.1969)

Kara Walker produces striking work consisting of black and white silhouettes and cut-paper imagery, as well as large-scale installations. She explores themes of gender, race, sexuality and violence, and her work often reflects on the legacy of US slavery. 

She is unafraid of controversy or making viewers feel uncomfortable, and her work challenges the conventional narratives of history that so often misrepresent or exclude black women. 

Contemporary female artists to know

One of the most intriguing new female artists to explore in 2025 is Carla Raads. She arrived at her studio in north west England via the untamed beauty of the Eastern Cape of South Africa, and the wild coastlines and seascapes resonate through her vibrant oil paintings. Fresh and direct, the paintings combine emotional intensity with more contemplative moods. 

If you would like to find out more about Carla Raads piece prices, please visit her website today.