Sign-In
Cart
The Misogynists: A Reckoning with Modern Art
Hardcover
Art Criticism & TheoryArtistsLiterary Criticism
Publisher Price: $35.00
ISBN13: 9781419770692
Publisher: Abrams Press
Published: Nov 10 2026
Pages: 384
Language: English
A riveting exploration of six giants of modern art, revealing how misogynistic beliefs shaped their work and smuggled dangerous ideas into museums worldwide
A Publishers Weekly Top 10 Art Book for Fall 2026, and one of Lit Hub's Most Anticipated Books of 2026
Delacroix, Courbet, Degas, Renoir, Gauguin, and Picasso have long been considered essential figures in the history of modern art. But these six men were also unrepentant misogynists. In The Misogynists, art historian and professor Allison Leigh delves deep into the lives of these figures to show how they truly felt about women, how those beliefs worked their way into their art, and how these facts have been brushed aside by collectors, curators, and critics.
These six were wildly influential artists in their time and remain widely known--and loved--today. Their paintings are the jewels of permanent collections in the world's most important art museums, and you can find reproductions of their works on all manner of merchandise, from T-shirts and socks to magnets and phone cases. They also exploited and degraded women in ways that shocked their contemporaries. And their sexist views infused the artworks, allowing dangerous ideas about women's proper roles and overall value to pervade our temples of culture.
Blending extensive research and intense observation, and drawing on letters, contemporary criticism, scholarly biographies, and the work of gender theorists, psychologists, and philosophers, Leigh crafts a thoroughly readable, engrossing mixture of historical narrative, art criticism, and social analysis. The Misogynists is an essential reconsideration of the modern canon and the narratives that continue to shape how we see--and value--art today.
2 different editions
Also available
Also from
Leigh, Allison
Also in
Art Criticism & Theory
Drawings by Rembrandt and His Pupils: Telling the Difference
Robinson, William W.
Bevers, Holm
Hendrix, Lee
Hardcover
E Is for Edward: A Centennial Celebration of the Mischievous Mind of Edward Gorey
The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust
Hischak, Gregory
Hardcover
Werner's Nomenclature of Colours: Adapted to Zoology, Botany, Chemistry, Mineralogy, Anatomy, and the Arts
Werner, Abraham Gottlob
Syme, Patrick
Hardcover
From Plant to Pigment: How to Make Your Own Vibrant Inks, Pastels and Paints
Stopka, Natalie
Hardcover
Color Theory: An Essential Guide to Color--From Basic Principles to Practical Applications
Mollica, Patti
Paperback
Color Curious: Find Color Inspiration All Around You for Art, Design, and Life
Bianchi, Ana
Hardcover
Werner's Nomenclature of Colours: Adapted to Zoology, Botany, Chemistry, Mineralogy, Anatomy, and the Arts
Syme, Patrick
Hardcover
Interacting with Color: A Practical Guide to Josef Albers's Color Experiments
Horstman, Fritz
Paperback
The Oil Painter's Color Handbook: A Contemporary Guide to Color Mixing, Pigments, Palettes, and Harmony
Casey, Todd M.
Hardcover
Color Collective's Palette Perfect: Color Combinations Inspired by Fashion, Art and Style
Wager, Lauren
Paperback
The Natural Pigment Handbook: A Maker's Guide to the Art, Stories and Recipes for Creating Paint
Mayes, Lucy
Hardcover
Pantone: The Twentieth Century in Color: (Coffee Table Books, Design Books, Best Books about Color)
Recker, Keith
Pantone LLC
Eiseman, Leatrice
Hardcover
Palette Perfect for Graphic Designers and Illustrators: Colour Combinations, Meanings and Cultural References
Caldas, Sara
Paperback
The Complete Color Harmony, Pantone Edition: Expert Color Information for Professional Results
Eiseman, Leatrice
Paperback
Werner's Nomenclature of Colours: Adapted to Zoology, Botany, Chemistry, Mineralogy, Anatomy, and the Arts
Werner, Abraham Gottlob
Syme, Patrick
Paperback
Special Subjects: Basic Color Theory: An Introduction to Color for Beginning Artists
Mollica, Patti
Paperback
Color Mixing Recipes for Oil & Acrylic: Mixing Recipes for More Than 450 Color Combinations
Powell, William F.
Hardcover
Fausto & Felice Niccolini. Houses and Monuments of Pompeii. 45th Ed.
Schütze, Sebastian
Kockel, Valentin
Hardcover
Color Collective's Palette Perfect, Vol. 2: Color Combinations by Season. Inspired by Fashion, Art and Style
Wager, Lauren
Paperback
3000 Color Mixing Recipes: Watercolor: The Ultimate Practical Reference to Watercolor Mixes and Dilutions
Collins, Julie
Paperback
Color Psychology and Color Therapy: A Factual Study of the Influence of Color on Human Life
Birren, Faber
Paperback
The Universe in 100 Colors: Weird and Wondrous Colors from Science and Nature
Mudge, Terry
Thrasher, Tyler
Hardcover
Secret Knowledge (New and Expanded Edition): Rediscovering the Lost Techniques of the Old Masters
Hockney, David
Paperback
Frieze Frame: How Poets, Painters, and Their Friends Framed the Debate Around Elgin and the Marbles of the Parthenon
Stallings, A. E.
Paperback
The Designer's Color Box: A Guidebook and 75 Cards for Creative Combinations and Inspirational Ideas
Adams, Sean
Paperback
Color Theory 101: Pocket Guide: Essential Guide to Color Relationships, Symbolism, and Mixing for Artists
Tabares, Michelle
Paperback
Botanical Drawing in Color: A Basic Guide to Mastering Realistic Form and Naturalistic Color
Hollender, Wendy
Paperback
Nouvelles Femmes: Modern Women of the French New Wave and Their Enduring Contribution to Cinema
Knudson, Ericka
Hardcover
Color Mixing Recipes for Portraits: More Than 500 Color Combinations for Skin, Eyes, Lips & Hair
Powell, William F.
Hardcover
On Ruben Slikk: A Manifesto on the Purpose of Art and the Value of Transgression
True, Caleb
Paperback
Women Among Monuments: Solitude, Permission, and the Pursuit of Female Genius
Van Schaik, Kasia
Paperback
Design Elements, Color Fundamentals: A Graphic Style Manual for Understanding How Color Affects Design
Sherin, Aaris
Paperback
Emily Vanderpoel's Color Problems: A Practical Manual for the Lay Student of Color
Vanderpoel, Emily Noyes
Hardcover
Creative Authenticity: 16 Principles to Clarify and Deepen Your Artistic Vision
Roberts, Ian
Paperback
Color By Numbers Coloring Book for Adults Nice Little Town: Adult Color By Number Book of Small Town Buildings and Scenes
Zenmaster Coloring Books
Paperback