The Story of Art without Men

A beautifully illustrated and interactive book about women artists over the past 500 years, based on the bestselling The Story of Art Without Men by art historian Katy Hessel. The book is specially designed for readers aged 8–14 (and older) and takes them on a journey from the Renaissance to the Second World War, exploring the world from Cornwall to Japan. Each chapter includes creative art activities that encourage children to make their own art – for example, by creating wish trees inspired by Yoko Ono or designing pop art portraits. The book is therefore also well suited for use in teaching.

In the book, readers meet artistic pioneers, freedom fighters, and adventurers who have long been overlooked in art history, but who have made a lasting impact through their works and ideas. The book is richly illustrated by Ping Zhu and also features new chapters, including one on First Nations art in Australia.

Katy Hessel is an art historian and author. She also shares art through her Instagram account @thegreatwomenartists, The Great Women Artists podcast, and as a columnist for The Guardian. She is a Visiting Fellow at Cambridge University and a board member of Charleston. In 2024, she launched the audio series Museums Without Men, which highlights works by women artists in museum collections around the world, including The Met and Tate Britain.