Art Education for Women in England from 1890-1910 as Reflected in the Victorian Periodical Press and Current Feminist Histories of Art Education

Abstract

In this paper, education for women art students in England from 1890 to 1910, as reflected in the Victorian periodical press, is discussed in relation to the manner in which women art students were viewed, the type of art education they received, and their abilities to participate in a variety of art activities that could lead to success. Some current feminist histories of art education for women are compared and contrasted with findings in this research to determine if they reflect the social and economic environment presented in the Victorian periodical press. An example is given of how social and economic attitudes about women's art education at the turn of the century might inform a similar contemporary concern.