Michaelina Wautier

Meet Michaelina Wautier, a 17th-century trailblazer who is finally stepping back into the spotlight.

Working in Brussels during the mid-1600s, Michaelina refused to be boxed in by the rules of her time. While most female artists were expected to stick to a narrow range of subjects, she mastered everything from delicate flowers to grand, epic history paintings—a style usually reserved only for men.

In her most famous masterpiece, The Triumph of Bacchus, she isn’t just an observer. She painted herself right into the scene on a massive scale, looking us straight in the eye with a confidence that shows she knew her own worth.

Though she was a sensation in her day, Michaelina’s name was nearly lost to history for centuries.

This exhibition invites you to rediscover her breathtaking work and see for yourself why she is truly one of Europe’s most important artists.