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ONLINECOLLECTION

Women Artists in Focus

Courageous, Strong and Unstoppable

“Freedom is not something you are given, but something you have to take.” This statement was uttered by Meret Oppenheim (1913–1985) during a speech given in 1975, in which she highlighted the still difficult situation of women artists.
Social conventions and discrimination, such as the traditional distribution of roles, family constraints, verbal defamation, the denial of creative abilities, a lack of training opportunities and other economic factors meant that the art sector was dominated by men until well into the second half of the 20th century. Despite all this animosity and resistance, there were numerous courageous and emancipated women throughout the centuries, who were determined to fight for their art even under these difficult circumstances.
The gradual exploration and (re-)discovery of women artists since the 1980s clearly shows to what an extent female art production has previously been ignored in art historiography. This perspective needs to be changed.
The Collection of the Leopold Museum includes works by female exponents of Austrian Atmospheric Impressionism, such as Tina Blau (1845–1916), Olga Wiesinger-Florian (1844–1926) and Marie Egner (1850–1940), as well as by artists working for the Wiener Werkstätte, including Maria Likarz-Strauss (1893–1971), Jutta Sika (1877–1964) and Vally Wieselthier (1895–1945). The museum collection further features works by representatives of Viennese Modernism, among them Emilie Mediz-Pelikan (1861–1908), Helene Funke (1869–1957) and Broncia Koller-Pinell (1863–1934). Moreover, the designer Emilie Flöge (1874–1952) made a lasting impact on Viennese fashion with her fashion salon founded in 1904; her promotion of the reform dress and her exceptional designs helped women free themselves from clothing constraints.
Last but not least, Viennese Kineticism provided an autonomous contribution to inter-war avant-garde art, which, thanks to its protagonists Erika Giovanna Klien (1900–1957), Elisabeth Karlinsky (1904–1994) and My Ullmann (1905–1995), was largely influenced by women. The former features in the collection with three eminent permanent loans.
Canal in Holland
Still Life with Dead Hare
Farm House in the Rain
Apple Blossoms
The Posthof Café in Karlovy Vary
Storm on Lake Garda
Blooming Fruit Tree Twigs in a Vase
Autumnal Path
Landscape with Railway
Evening Atmosphere, Motif from the Park of HRH Archduke Joseph in Fiume
Bay near Naples
Young Woman in front of a Bird Cage
Seated Woman (Marietta)
Grinzing Scene with Staffage
Prater Scene
Little Tree in the Snow
Portrait of Silvia Koller
Head of a Dancer
Portrait of the Painter Carl Hofer
Silvia Koller (Daughter of the artist)
Portrait of a Lady
Girl with scissors
Portrait of Young Man in Red Cap
Woman in Green Leaning against an Armchair
Head of a Man
Portrait of a Lady in Red
Flight of birds
Lolita
Glass Vase with Brass Armoring
Woman´s Head
Teapot, Tondi 10-Part Coffee and Tea Service
Vase with Handles
Vase with Handles
Two-Piece Black Shawl with White Dots from the Estate of Emilie Flöge
White Bag with Sewn-on Black Textile Bands from the Estate of Emilie Flöge
White Stole from the Estate of Emilie Flöge
Purple Stole with sewed-on white textile appliqué
Black Shawl with Sewn-on Textile Bands, from the Estate of Emilie Flöge
Purple and White Checkered Shawl, from the Estate of Emilie Flöge
Green Stole from the Estate of Emilie Flöge
Blouse from Wiener Werkstätte, “Flamingo” design by Lotte Frömel-Fochler
Black-and-White Striped Shawl from the Estate of Emilie Flöge
Black Pouch with sewed-on white textile bands from the possession of Emilie Flöge
War Glass
War Glass
War Glass
Fruit Bowl
Bacchante
Eve with Snake
Lion Figurine
Triple Vase
Woman's head
Sitting nude with blue scarf
Ceramik bust
Vase
Double-Portrait with Vally Wieselthier
Head of a girl (Fiona)
Ladies’ handbag
Upholstered Chair for the Café at the *Vienna Werkbund Exhibition*
Tower of Mothers
Pietà
Satyr's Head
Bodice from the “Schwestern Flöge” fashion salon
Vase with Three Applied Feet
Small Milk Jug and Sugar Bowl
Nymph
Girl with Flowers
Seated Old Woman
Portrait of a Farmer
Moor in Salzburg
Spinning Dancer
Sleeping girl (Silvia Koller)
Vienna Woods
Flowerpot
Near Heiligenkreuz
Pines near Baden
Two female farmers
Bird of paradise
Female farmers on the way to the city
Eva
"Ex Libris Editha Mautner von Markhof Baroness Sunstenau"
Mother of the artist
Female Nude reclining
Working Woman (with Earring)
Fashion Figurine. From the Portfolio “Vienna Fashion 1914/5”, Page II [Selection from Two Portfolios]
Fashion Figurine. From the Portfolio “Vienna Fashion 1914/5”, Page II [Selection from Two Portfolios]
Fashion Figurine. From the Portfolio “Vienna Fashion 1914/5”, Page V [Selection from two Portfolios]
Fashion Figurine. From the Portfolio “Vienna Fashion 1914/5”, Page I [Selection from Two Portfolios]
Fashion Figurine. From the Portfolio “Mode Wien 1914/5”, page X [Selection from two Portfolios]
Fashion Figurine. From the Portfolio Collection “Vienna Fashion 1914/5”, Page III [Selection from two Portfolios]
Portrait of Daughter Sylvia
Wiener Werkstätte Arts and Crafts. Draft for a catalogue cover
Reunion. Design for a wallpaper
Girl's Head
Woman’s Head
Struggle
Two Dogs
Swans
Female dancer
From the “Death” Cycle: Death Holding Girl in His Lap
Happy New Year. Postcard of the Wiener Werkstätte, No. 744
Marie Schiele, née Soukup
Gustav Klimt in profile with his hand on his chin
Egon Schiele on His Deathbed