Michaelina’s Triumph: An Art Tour of Michaelina Vauthier’s Exhibition at the Museum of Art History

Becoming an artist in the seventeenth century was not easy. Becoming a famous artist was almost impossible. Most women of the time painted mainly portraits and still lifes. However, Michaelina Vauthier managed to go beyond the expected and take her place alongside masters such as Rubens and Van Dyck.

The exhibition at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna proves that an exceptional personality can overcome the social and professional limitations of his time and achieve recognition.

On this tour you will learn:

– What expectations or requirements were placed on painting in the 17th century,

– How the art market worked,

– How Michaelina Vauthier was able – against the system – to become famous and financially successful and why this is important for today’s viewers.

This is the world’s first large-scale exhibition of her works: the paintings have been collected from various museums, restored and cleared of erroneous attributions.

Thirty canvases of different genres – from religious paintings to mythological scenes – are presented alongside works by her famous contemporaries.

You will experience the power of her craftsmanship and how historical narrative influences the recognition of an artist – regardless of gender.