This 17th-Century Female Artist Was Once a Bigger Star Than Rembrandt. Why Did History Forget About Johanna Koerten and Her Peers?
Meilan Solly | Smithsonian Magazine | 29th September 2025
Opportunities open to artistically inclined women in 17th century Holland were governed by class more than gender. With family support, they could become “art stars” and those that did sold work at Rembrandt-level prices, helping define the visual culture of that age. However, female lace workers were poorly paid and anonymous despite lace being an expensive fabric. By the 19th century, art by men overshadowed everything and the preservation of works and reputations was prioritised accordingly.