I love women! This is how Cristian Vasile sang in the mid-20th century, to the music and lyrics of Ionel Fernic. Today, in 2025, we are pleased to see that women are more loved, more respected, more appreciated - and, we hope - better understood than ever before in human history. We love women! - this is something we should all say more often, and that is why today, we embark on a journey following the footsteps of women in the world of art. 

The feminine mystery, the eternal feminine...the inspiration drawn from women as an idea—these have been contexts that have idealized and enshrined the feminine for thousands of years in what we understand as the concept of the muse. For artists, the nine known muses—Calliope, the muse of epic poetry; Clio, the muse of history; Erato, the muse of lyric poetry; Euterpe, the muse of music; Melpomene, the muse of tragedy and song; Polyhymnia, the muse of rhetoric and eloquence; Terpsichore, the muse of dance; Thalia, the muse of comedy; and Urania, the muse of astronomy - have represented direct sources of inspiration, often invoked to ignite the spark necessary for successful creation. Moreover, in one of the oldest known written works, Homer’s Odyssey, we find such an invocation in the very first verses: O Muse, sing to me of the man / Brave and skilled, who once (...). 

Beyond this divine feminine avatar, many women have inspired and changed the world directly from the real plane, leaving their mark on history. However, it is necessary to acknowledge that the same history that has benefited from the contributions of women has not always been kind, nor fair, often perceiving and, unfortunately, treating them as passive subjects until not too long ago. One of the most relevant examples in this regard is Artemisia Gentileschi, an Italian Baroque painter from the post-Caravaggio period. A mere glance at her works reveals that her themes are strongly anchored in powerful female figures, mythological stories with female heroines, and scenes in which women are atypically depicted as holders of power and control. Artemisia’s importance in art has grown significantly with the rise of feminism and gender studies, as her story brings to light a perspective completely opposite to that of her contemporaries. Artemisia Gentileschi was a victim of rape and endured a humiliating and difficult trial, which, in many respects, did not result in any meaningful punishment for the aggressor. These experiences influenced her artistic subjects, making her one of the few female artists of her time who chose to depict women as strong, courageous, and rebellious—not sensitive, passive, or submissive. Even if, perhaps, in her lifetime she did not obtain a verdict that would grant her justice, Artemisia remains an example for posterity and for the generations of women who can draw inspiration from her courage and creativity. 

One method through which Artemisia - and many others - artistically reclaimed the status of women was portraiture and self-portraiture. In Artemisia’s case, it has been proven that her brave, even violent protagonists bear strikingly similar features to her own self-portraits. This overlap demonstrates a process of self-representation in new scenes where she could, at last, achieve revenge or justice. In the centuries that followed, many female artists continued this tradition of self-portraiture as a form of artistic and personal assertion. Frida Kahlo, through her intensely expressive self-portraits, conveyed not only her physical and emotional suffering but also her strength in defining herself beyond feminine stereotypes. In Romanian art, Margareta Sterian created her own self-portraits to shape her artistic identity, while Geta Brătescu used self-representation in a conceptual manner, emphasizing the relationship between body, space, and identity. Thus, throughout history, self-portraiture has been more than just an artistic exercise - it has become a declaration of independence and a means for women artists to claim their place in a male-dominated world. 

Another recent Romanian name is Alexandra Nechita, known as the Little Picasso, who became an international artistic phenomenon as a child. Born in Romania but raised in the United States, Nechita stunned the art world with her Cubist style, full of color and dynamism. Her works, influenced by Picasso and Matisse, have been exhibited in the world’s greatest galleries and museums, and her early success transformed her into a symbol of Romanian artistic excellence on the global stage. Throughout her career, Alexandra Nechita has continued to experiment, maintaining the same visual energy that defined her style from the beginning. 

In contemporary Romanian art, women continue to assert their presence through innovation, expressiveness, and interdisciplinary approaches. From conceptual art to painting, muralism, and urban interventions, Romanian female artists explore new visual directions, shedding light on themes such as identity, public space, collective memory, and the relationship between the individual and society. Among the most influential creators of the recent generation are Ioana Nemeș, Adela Giurgiu, and Suzana Dan, each of them shaping a distinct artistic universe and contributing to the redefinition of Romanian visual art. 

Ioana Nemeș was one of the most acclaimed Romanian conceptual artists, known for her exploration of time, memory, and identity through a profound and personal visual language. Her Monthly Evaluations project, conducted over several years, transformed daily experiences into artistic diagrams, systematically investigating her emotions and perceptions. Her works have been exhibited in prestigious international galleries, and her artistic legacy continues to inspire future generations, being considered one of the most original voices in contemporary Romanian art. 

Adela Giurgiu is a contemporary painter who blends realism with surrealism, creating captivating images that seem to oscillate between dream and reality. Her works are characterized by meticulous attention to detail, refined color palettes, and a poetic, often melancholic atmosphere. Through her paintings, Adela Giurgiu explores themes of introspection, identity, and the subconscious, successfully building a bridge between the material world and the imaginary. 

Suzana Dan is a multidisciplinary artist known for her artistic interventions in public spaces and for the cultural projects she initiates. She works in various media, from painting and installations to performance and design, embracing an expansive and inclusive artistic vision. Suzana Dan is also one of the founders of The White Night of Galleries, an event that has significantly contributed to promoting contemporary art in Romania. Through her work, she creates connections between artists and audiences, making art more accessible and interactive. 

The journey of women in the visual arts has been complex, marked by obstacles but also by remarkable triumphs. From inspiring muses to creators of masterpieces, women have claimed their rightful place in art history, transforming and redefining it through authentic and courageous visions. If in the past they were only seen as subjects of the male gaze, today they are creative forces, leaders of visual experimentation, and pioneers of new artistic directions. 

Today, women in art are no longer just muses but architects of their own artistic destiny. Although challenges still exist, the artistic scene is more open than ever, and the future of art is being shaped by an increasing number of strong female voices. Ultimately, it is no longer just about loving women, but about recognizing and celebrating their vision, talent, and impact on the world of art. 

Ph.D. Researcher Andrei FĂȘIE