Women and art.

For may centuries the role of women in art have been overshadowed by the omnipresence of men. Amanda Vickery of Queen Mary College, University of London introduced us to a splendid educational three part programme entitled The Story of Women in Art on BBC Two. She demonstrates how women have been grossly neglected over many years by male curators, critics and art historians. We start in the Renaissance with highly talented and determined women a Balogese artist, master engraver and sculpture Properzia de' Rossi (1490-1530) she was the envy of men. One disgruntled male artist claimed she was a "bitch". One particular good patron of female artists was Philip II of Spain, he commissioned what became known as the 'conversation piece'. Another outstanding female artist was Clara Peters in the Dutch Republic. Nevertheless her pictures that are on public display, are often hidden away in some obscure part of the gallery. A big step forward was in London in 1842 when the Female School of Design was opened at Somerset House. One of its most illustrious artists was Lady Elizabeth Butler. She painted a picture that was shown at the Royal Academy and subsequently bought by Queen Victoria in 1880 it was entitled - The Roll Call. It caught the fatigue and exhaustion after a ferocious and bloody fight. The men were all grouped together after a battle in the Crimea War. What is most extraordinary is that she never went to the battlefield. Another female artist that had a big impact was Georgia O'Keeffe who spent most of her life after her divorce from the American photographer Alfred Stieglitz remotely in New Mexico. Anyone interested in art should watch this engrossing three part programme. Its 'date TV' at its best!