At a time when women artists still currently make up just 1% of the National Gallery collection and the Royal Academy of Arts is still yet to host a solo exhibition by a woman in their main space, curator and art historian Katy Hessel’s new book could not be more urgent, more necessary or more refreshing. 

The Story of Art Without Men, much of it written at The London Library, challenges the canon and reframes our understanding of art history, showcasing female and gender non-conforming artists, from all over the world, who have too long been excluded or forgotten, from the glittering works of Renaissance painter Sofonisba Anguissola all the way to the women artists defining art in the 2020s .

In conversation with writer Jennifer Higgie, Katy Hessel reveals the history of art as it has never been told before.

Katy Hessel is an art historian, broadcaster and curator dedicated to celebrating women artists from all over the world, through projects including the Great Women Artists Instagram and podcast, which has now had over 1.5 million listens. Katy has lectured at Tate, National Gallery, Christie’s and University of Cambridge; presented films for the BBC and Royal Academy; and collaborated with Dior on a podcast series featuring interviews with Tracey Emin and Judy Chicago. 

Jennifer Higgie is an Australian writer and artist who lives in London. Her most recent book is The Mirror and the Palette: 500 Years of Women's Self-Portraits and The Other Side: A Journey into Women, Art and the Spirit World will be published in February next year. She has also written a novel, Bedlam, and a children’s book, There’s Not One. She was previously the editor of frieze magazine and the presenter of Bow Down, a podcast about women in art history. 

The History of Art Without Men by Katy Hessel and The Mirror and the Palette by Jennifer Higgie can both be ordered from our partner bookshop Hatchards. 

N.B. This event will take place in person at The London Library in alignment with up-to-date government COVID recommendations. Please see our Event Access and COVID Guidelines before you arrive. Doors (and the bar) open at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start.

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