In this book, an internationally recognized roster of art historians, literary critics, and other scholars offers a nuanced portrait of what it meant to be a modern woman during this decisive period of modernisms development. Individual essays explore the challenges faced by women in the early decades of the twentieth century, as well as the strategies these women deployed to create their art and to build meaningful lives and careers. The introduction underscores the importance of the contributors efforts to address larger questions about modernity, sexuality, race, and class.

Whitney Chadwick is a professor of art at San Francisco State University and the author of many books, including Woman Artists and the Surrealist Movement. Tirza True Latimer lectures in art history at various San Francisco area institutions.