Elisabeth Louise Vigée–LeBrun (French, 1755–1842), Portrait of Theresia, Countess Kinsky, 1793, oil on canvas, Norton Simon Art Foundation
The Norton Simon Museum will present a groundbreaking exhibition that traces five decades of collecting works by women artists, highlighting their contributions while confronting systemic marginalization in institutional settings. Opening May 24, “50 Years: Women Artists in the Norton Simon Museum Collection” serves as both celebration and critical self-examination.
The exhibition reveals how institutional practices have gradually evolved to include more diverse perspectives and contributions. By showcasing works exclusively from its own collection of approximately 12,000 pieces (of which only about 40% are represented on its website), the museum examines its role in shaping public understanding of artistic legacy and merit since its incorporation as a nonprofit cultural institution in 1974.
Specific statistics on the representation of women artists in the collection are not publicly disclosed. Notable artists featured include Berthe Morisot, Elisabeth Louise Vigée-LeBrun, and Barbara Hepworth. The museum has previously organized exhibitions highlighting women artists, such as “Ink, Paper, Stone: Six Women Artists and the Language of Lithography,” which featured works by Ruth Asawa, Gego, Eleanore Mikus, Louise Nevelson, Irene Siegel, and Hedda Sterne.
Sources indicate Emily Talbot serves as Chief Curator and has overseen various initiatives aimed at highlighting underrepresented artists, while Assistant Curator Maggie Bell has been instrumental in organizing exhibitions that explore themes of gender and representation.
The exhibition connects with larger feminist and social equity movements that gained momentum from the 1970s onward, especially those advocating for gender parity in museum representation, art education, and funding allocations. This timing aligns with significant cultural shifts in how women’s art is valued and preserved in institutional settings.
To enhance visitor experience, the museum will offer guided tours and educational programs providing deeper insight into the struggles and triumphs of women artists. These outreach efforts position the Norton Simon Museum as both a custodian of art and an active participant in public discourse on representation.
Operating under 501(c)(3) nonprofit status (EIN 95-2253029), the Norton Simon Museum is a central institution in Pasadena’s civic and artistic infrastructure. Located along the Colorado Boulevard cultural corridor, the museum draws both local and international audiences and maintains connections with local educational institutions, including ArtCenter College of Design.
This exhibition is part of the museum’s 50th anniversary celebration, which includes other reflective exhibitions such as “Retrospect: 50 Years at the Norton Simon Museum.” Additionally, the museum is undertaking an exterior improvement project to enhance accessibility and visitor experience, signaling a broader commitment to inclusivity beyond exhibition content.
Norton Simon Museum, 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91105. (626) 449-6840. https://www.
