WOMEN ARTISTS OF THE ALBERTINA

For its 250th anniversary, the ALBERTINA is dedicating an exhibition to the women artists in its collection—the first presentation of this focus in the museum’s history. Spanning from the fifteenth century to the 1970s, the exhibition demonstrates how decisively women have shaped artistic developments, even though their contributions were long marginalized or forgotten.

Works by draughtswomen and printmakers were already acquired by Duke Albert and Archduchess Marie Christine. These early holdings are shown alongside works from later centuries—from woodcuts produced in women’s convents to early feminist practices—underscoring that art history has always also been made by women.

Recent expansions of the collection, particularly in contemporary art, increasingly reflect female artistic positions. At the same time, this development prompts renewed scrutiny of the historical holdings, which were formed under very different social, political, and institutional conditions. The exhibition builds on an ongoing research project initiated by Director General Ralph Gleis, revealing striking diversity and a considerable number of outstanding works that have rarely—or never—been exhibited.