Painting and Sculpture in the 19th century 

Tate Britain's survey of Women Artists in Britain 1520 (the subtitle of the current exhibition) is so brilliantly put together that I think it deserves proper consideration. Although you could see everything in one go, enjoying whatever grabs your attention (which is what I usually do), Now You See Us would reward repeated visits - so that is what I shall do.

For the second session I want to explore the wealth of art produced by women in the 19th Century. The hang at Tate is in itself richly varied, with thematic rooms tying the chronological hang together. This talk will pick up from the interest in flowers (and botany generally) which developed in the 18th century, and take us through to the room dedicated to landscape. On the way we will see some of the women who participated in the Pre-Raphaelite movement, including artists with whom you may be familiar from the Pre-Raphaelite Sisters exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, Joanna Boyce Wells and Evelyn de Morgan. 

There are also those who, despite the precedent set by Kauffman and Moser, failed to be elected to the Royal Academy, despite their popularity and success. Elizabeth (Lady) Butler, who was deliberately voted out, while Annie Swynnerton, got as far as becoming an Associate in 1922 - but not a full Academician. 

There are also a number of sculptors, including the Americans Harriet Hosmer and Edmonia Lewis, who either lived or worked in England. The latter was also one of the first artists of colour to have had any success, all the more remarkable given the assumption that carving stone requires a certain 'masculine' strength, thus adding yet another layer of prejudice to those of gender and race. 

While some of the artists choose subject matter which is the direct equivalent of the interests of their male colleagues, other women introduced themes which questioned the roles which women were given in society, and critiqued their precarious status as professional artists. At the same time, their work shows a technical expertise and artistic vision which reminds us that it should never have been forgotten.