A major new exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria is casting a long-overdue spotlight on the significant contributions of women to the art of photography. Women Photographers 1900–1975: A Legacy of Light celebrates the wide-ranging practices of more than 80 female artists who worked across the globe during this pivotal period.
A Global Tapestry of Talent
The exhibition, which is now open and will run until May 2026, presents a diverse collection of works that challenge historical narratives. It features iconic images from renowned figures such as Dorothea Lange, whose 1936 photograph Towards Los Angeles, California captures the stark reality of the Great Depression, and Dora Maar, better known as Picasso's muse but here presented as a formidable artist in her own right with her 1936 Untitled (Study of Beauty).
Visitors will encounter the pioneering commercial work of the German studio ringl + pit, the duo of Ellen Auerbach and Grete Stern, whose 1931 image Komol broke new ground. The show also highlights Australian talents like Olive Cotton, represented by her 1938 portrait Girl with mirror, and Ruth Hollick with her 1921 piece Thought.
Technique and Perspective
The exhibition showcases the technical mastery of these artists through various photographic processes. The displayed works are primarily gelatin silver photographs, a dominant medium of the era, with exceptions like Gertrude Käsebier's exquisite The gargoyle c. 1900, rendered in the platinum process.
Beyond technique, the collection reveals the unique perspectives women brought to subjects ranging from portraiture and surrealism to documentary and architectural photography. From Lucia Moholy's crisp 1926 view of the Bauhaus residences Dessau kitchen to Helen Levitt's candid street photography in New York c. 1940, the exhibition underscores the breadth of their vision.
A Lasting Legacy
Women Photographers 1900–1975: A Legacy of Light is more than just a retrospective; it is a crucial act of historical reclamation. By bringing these works together, the NGV honours a generation of artists who often operated outside the mainstream canon. The exhibition provides a vital opportunity for audiences to appreciate the indelible mark these women left on the history of photography, ensuring their light continues to shine for future generations.
