1. Lee Krasner (1908–1984)
Lee Krasner was a central figure in Abstract Expressionism, known for her disciplined approach to painting and her persistence within a male-dominated art world. Trained in both classical and modern traditions, she brought a strong sense of structure to her work.
Krasner’s style evolved over time. Her early paintings show Cubist influences, while her later works, particularly after the death of Jackson Pollock, became larger, more gestural, and emotionally expansive. She was also known for cutting up earlier paintings and reworking them into new compositions.
Notable works include The Seasons (1957) and Polar Stampede (1960).
Krasner’s significance lies not only in her own work, but in her influence within the New York art scene. She helped shape the development of Abstract Expressionism and played a key role in supporting and preserving Pollock’s legacy.
Today, she is recognised as a major artist in her own right, representing both artistic innovation and resilience.
2. Georgia O’Keeffe (1887–1986)
Georgia O’Keeffe is one of the most recognisable figures in modern American art. Her work is known for its clarity, simplicity, and focus on natural forms, particularly flowers and landscapes.
O’Keeffe developed a highly personal style, often enlarging her subjects to the point where they became abstracted. Her paintings of flowers, such as Jimson Weed (1936), are among her most famous works, while her later landscapes of New Mexico reflect a deep connection to place.
She was associated with American modernism, though her work stands apart for its distinctive voice and focus.
O’Keeffe’s contribution lies in her ability to create a visual language that feels both intimate and monumental. She challenged expectations of subject matter and scale, and her work helped establish a uniquely American approach to modern art.
3. Sonia Delaunay (1885–1979)
Sonia Delaunay was a pioneer of abstract art, working across painting, textiles, fashion, and design. Alongside her husband Robert Delaunay, she developed a style known as Orphism, which explored colour and movement.
Her work is characterised by bold, rhythmic patterns and a strong sense of harmony. Rather than separating fine art from everyday life, Delaunay applied her ideas to clothing, interiors, and stage design.
Notable works include Electric Prisms (1914).
Delaunay’s contribution lies in her belief that art should be part of daily experience. She expanded the boundaries of modern art, demonstrating that abstraction could exist beyond the canvas and into the wider world.
4. Natalia Goncharova (1881–1962)
Natalia Goncharova was a leading figure in the Russian avant-garde, known for her bold experimentation and willingness to challenge artistic conventions.
Her work combined influences from Russian folk art, religious iconography, and modern movements such as Cubism and Futurism. This resulted in a distinctive style that felt both traditional and forward-looking.
One of her notable works is The Cyclist (1913).
Goncharova was also active in theatre design, creating costumes and sets for ballet productions.
Her significance lies in her ability to bridge cultural traditions with modern ideas, contributing to the development of early twentieth-century avant-garde art.
5. Hannah Höch (1889–1978)
Hannah Höch was a key figure in the Dada movement, best known for her pioneering use of photomontage.
She created works by cutting and assembling images from magazines and newspapers, forming compositions that commented on politics, gender, and modern society.
Her most famous work, Cut with the Kitchen Knife (1919), reflects the fragmented and chaotic nature of post-war Germany.
Höch’s work often addressed the role of women in society, making her one of the earliest artists to explore feminist themes in modern art.
Her contribution lies in both her technique and her perspective. She expanded the possibilities of collage and used art as a tool for social commentary.
6. Gabriele Münter (1877–1962)
Gabriele Münter was associated with the Expressionist group Der Blaue Reiter, alongside artists such as Wassily Kandinsky.
Her work is known for its clarity of form, bold use of colour, and simplified compositions. She painted landscapes, interiors, and portraits with a directness that gives her work a lasting appeal.
Notable works include Jawlensky and Werefkin (1909).
Münter also played an important role in preserving the works of the Blue Rider group during turbulent periods in European history.
Her contribution lies in her distinctive visual style and her role within one of the key movements of early modern art.
7. Paula Modersohn-Becker (1876–1907)
Paula Modersohn-Becker was an early modernist whose work anticipated later developments in Expressionism.
She is known for her direct and often unconventional portraits, including a number of self-portraits that challenged traditional representations of women.
One of her notable works is Self-Portrait on Her Sixth Wedding Anniversary (1906), considered one of the first nude self-portraits by a female artist.
Her style is characterised by simplified forms and a focus on emotional presence rather than detail.
Although her career was cut short, her work has been recognised for its originality and influence.
8. Tamara de Lempicka (1898–1980)
Tamara de Lempicka became one of the defining artists of the Art Deco movement, known for her sleek, stylised portraits.
Her work combines precise technique with a sense of modern glamour. Figures are often depicted with smooth, sculptural forms and strong lines.
One of her most famous works is Self-Portrait (Tamara in a Green Bugatti) (1929).
Lempicka’s contribution lies in her ability to capture the spirit of the modern age—its confidence, elegance, and shifting social roles.
Her work remains closely associated with the visual identity of the 1920s and 1930s.
9. Käthe Kollwitz (1867–1945)
Käthe Kollwitz was a powerful artist whose work focused on themes of poverty, war, and loss.
Working primarily in printmaking and drawing, she created images that are both direct and emotionally compelling.
Notable works include The Weavers series and The Grieving Parents sculpture.
Kollwitz’s art was shaped by personal experience, including the loss of her son in World War I.
Her contribution lies in her ability to give voice to suffering and to represent the experiences of ordinary people with dignity and empathy.
10. Suzanne Valadon (1865–1938)
Suzanne Valadon began her career as a model for artists such as Renoir and Degas before becoming a painter in her own right.
Her work is known for its strong lines and honest depiction of the human figure, often challenging traditional representations of women.
One of her notable works is The Blue Room (1923).
Valadon painted from her own perspective, presenting her subjects with a sense of independence and realism.
Her contribution lies in her transition from model to artist and in her refusal to conform to conventional expectations, making her an important figure in the development of modern art.
Penny Fields-Schneider is the author of The Woman Who Painted the Seasons, a novel exploring the life and work of Lee Krasner and the wider world of early twentieth-century art. She has also written the much loved four book Portraits in Blue series, which brings together art, history, and story.
