There is absolutely no doubt as to the biological connection and the opportunity for women to become successful artists in the past. All the more amazing are the women who did produce the work that we enjoy today.

In that case, the most amazing woman would have to be Rachel Ruysch. Ten kids!!!!! All of you who have seen her work in person would agree that she was among the top floral painters not only in her time, but ever. Granted, her production was small, but choice. It deserves repeating: 10 children!

I don't need to go on too much about this, because we all are aware:

Free time!
This was a luxury rarely known in the past among the lower and middle class, but allowed increasingly by the inventions of our modern society that have relieved millions from the time constraints and physical work needed just for daily chores in whatever walk of life.

But our free time is shrinking. Perhaps one of the newest inventions is actually negated some of that free time. How many of you have wasted days, weeks, months, etc. on computer failures and distractions?

Cheers,
Ann

PS. Yes, raising children is still a factor for women, but many women have successful careers in all areas, including art, even with children. Let's don't get into the area of whether the children of career women have suffered or not with the lack of attention...it has nothing to do with the quality of art produced, which is our area of interest.

Though I believe that Madame Vigée-Lebrun had a husband who dedicated his time to helping her career and taking care of the family. It's a bit simplified to say the first house husband as her income certainly allowed for servants..more likely the first husband manager????