Since the beginning of humanity, women in art have been worshipped, venerated, treasured, and admired. They also have been defamed, condemned, and abused. Although there have been many woman artists, their ability has not always been respected. Today there are many great women artists. It was in the 20th century when the mass of women became eligible legally and culturally to receive the highest levels of artistic training and recognized as being "great."
             The major reason for their lack of respect has to do with how women have been looked upon over the centuries. It was once thought that women are not capable of being bright or even particularly intellectual. The common thought throughout history has been that "women can't make great art" and that creative genius could only be attained by men.
             Nonetheless, many women were indulged for their eccentricity and determination to make art during the early centuries. These women were daughters of famous artists or they worked in the church. Women were encouraged later to be well-rounded with a variety of skills which didn't necessarily mean visual arts, but also the skills necessary to make a home beautiful and entertain guests (Slatkin 121). These women were accepted as artists as long as it did not interfere with the running of the home, it was more of a hobby to them. Because women had the responsibilities of having babies and running the house, art was not their main focus.
             The subjects women painted were also affected by the period in which they lived. They often painted still life or feminine subjects such as objects and scenes from around the house. In the later centuries, as times were changing and the world was becoming more industrialized, women were out of the home more. Soon women did not feel like they had to conform to their roles of being a good wife and mother. They were then able to break out and include a variety of subjects in their art work. Also when commu...