Michaelina Wautier: the female Flemish artist now seen as an old master

Michaelina Wautier: The Female Flemish Artist Now Seen as an Old Master

Michaelina Wautier, a 17th-century Flemish artist, is receiving long-overdue recognition with a new exhibition in Vienna. Opening on September 30th, this exhibition for the first time gathers all known works by Wautier, positioning her among the old masters of her era. Her oeuvre includes monumental history paintings, portraits, still lifes, and allegorical pieces like "The Five Senses."

The Rediscovery of Wautier’s Mastery

Wautier's work came to prominence when art historian Katlijne von der Stighelen stumbled upon "The Triumph of Bacchus" at Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum in 1993. This piece is notable not only for its scale but also because it establishes Wautier as the first known female artist to depict the naked male body on a life-sized scale. Historically, women artists of her time were often limited to smaller works due to lack of access to their own workshops.

Despite the scarcity of biographical details, Wautier’s paintings reveal her depth of skill and unique perspective. Her work was mistakenly attributed to her brother, Charles, but her distinct style and thematic choices have now been rightly credited to her.

Breaking Barriers in Baroque Art

Wautier's paintings, characterized by their emotional depth and technical prowess, challenge the norms of her time. Her series "The Five Senses" explores the duality of pleasure and pain, while her self-portrait in "The Triumph of Bacchus" displays a confident assertion of identity. These elements underscore her modern sensibility and the enduring relevance of her work.

How to Engage

• Visit the exhibition at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, open from September 30, 2025, to explore Wautier's works firsthand.
• Attend lectures or workshops hosted by the museum to learn more about Wautier's techniques and impact on the art world.
• Participate in guided tours that focus on the historical context of Wautier's life and how her work challenges gender norms in art.