“The Story of Art Without Men”, which spans from the 1500s to artists born in the 1990s, brings centuries-old figures back to life. Covering every period from Dadaism to the Civil Rights era, from anti‑racist art to the Bauhaus movement, the book gives shape and weight to voices that have traditionally had less space in society.

Guided by art historian and founder of @thegreatwomenartists, Katy Hessel, readers are invited to discover the radiant paintings of Renaissance artist Sofonisba Anguissola, the radical work of Harriet Powers in 19th-century United States, and the artist who truly invented the concept of the “readymade”. The book highlights the astonishing works of post-war Latin American artists, explores the Dutch Golden Age, and introduces us to the women defining art in the 2020s. This book, capable of transforming your entire understanding of art history, opens your eyes to many forms of art that have long been overlooked or dismissed. From the Cornish coast to Manhattan, from Nigeria to Japan, it offers a new lens through which to view global art history.

Motivated by her passion to position, celebrate, and chronologically map women’s often forgotten contributions to art, Katy Hessel brings long-silenced feminine currents and neglected artists into the spotlight. Unearthing works produced by women over the past 500 years from the dusty margins of history, Hessel creates a powerful and enlightening encyclopedia of art without men.

Cover Image: Katy Hessel, photograph by Lily Bertrand-Webb