Often written from a male perspective, the dominant narratives of art history have largely ignored the writings of female artists. Yet these varied texts, ranging from diaries to newspaper articles, bear witness to the desires, efforts, struggles and successes of female creators. Drawing on their own words, the podcast “Words of Women Artists” gives voice to their version of history. The unique perspectives revealed allow us to better understand the visual arts, but above all, to renew our understanding of the dynamics of art history.

In this first season, co-produced by AWARE and the Musée d’Orsay, with the support of the FAMM museum, we will listen to the voices of activist artists from the second half of the 19th century. Through their writing, they defended their right to found women-only art societies, to access quality art education, and to compete for the Prix de Rome, among other demands.

This second episode is devoted to Hélène Bertaux, born Joséphine Charlotte Hélène Pilate in 1825, who was much more than a talented sculptor: she championed women’s right to create, learn and exhibit their work. “It is better to be an unsung talent than a praised mediocrity”, she repeatedly declared. Her talent was recognized, and H. Bertaux quickly became one of the few women to make a name for herself in France in the field of monumental and public sculpture.