Great Women Rulers of Art

12" Wooden Ruler made in U.S.A. of American-grown basswood.

This ruler celebrates the contribution made by women to Art. Painters are represented more than other artists, but the ruler also celebrates illustrators, sculptors, a potter, a photographer and an installation artist.

The story of Italian painter Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1652) is a dramatic one. She overcame being raped by her tutor to become one of the most progressive and expressive painters of her generation. American Mary Cassatt (1844-1926) went to Paris to paint with the Impressionists, especially Edgar Degas. Anne Mary Robertson “Grandma” Moses (1860-1961) didn’t start painting in earnest until she was 78 years old.

The dates listed on this ruler are the years of each artist’s birth and death, if known. We also list their nationality and the realm of art that they practiced.

There is an African-American on our list, the sculptor Edmonia Lewis (1845-1909?), and also a Native American, the potter María Montoya Martínez (1881-1980).

The “head” image is of Frida Kahlo (1907-1954), a painter who was inspired by the popular culture of her native Mexico. Our illustration is based on the many self-portraits that she painted during her career.

If you like this ruler, you might also be interested in Rulers of Art, Great Women Rulers of Literature, Great Women Rulers of Science, Great Women Rulers of Music or Great Women Rulers of Tech.