Since antiquity, women artists have been creating alongside their male counterparts. Many of these women were highly successful during their lifetimes, yet have been omitted from art historical documentation. For instance, before 1986, all editions of H.W. Janson's History of Art (the standard text used in introductory college art history classes), included 3,000 male and no female artists. In the latest version, published in 1995, approximately 38 women are represented.

Since 1970, there has been a surge in scholarship on women artists, resulting in the discovery and appreciation of thousands of women artists throughout history and from all over the world.

Twenty years into the women's art movement, women artists are still struggling for visibility. It is well documented that they lack significant support in the art world. According to the 1990 U.S. study, Gender Discrimination in the Artfield by Eleanor Dickinson:

• 50.7% of all visual artists are female.
• Women hold 53.1% of the degrees in art.

• 80% of art faculty are males.
• Male artists make 68.6% of the total art income.
• Male artists receive 73% of grants or fellowships.

• Art museums average 15% women in curated exhibits, minority women .003%
• 4% of museum acquisitions are of work by women artists.