The Most Famous Female Artist: Recognizing Iconic Artistic Talent

Voting rules: Choose the artistess you think is the most famous!

Jun 16, 2023 10:18 (Updated on Nov 30, 2023 10:55)

Welcome to StrawPoll's ultimate ranking of the most famous female artists of all time! We've compiled a sensational list of incredibly talented and influential women who have left an indelible mark on the world of art, music, and beyond. But now, it's up to you to help us crown the queen of creative genius. Cast your vote for your favorite female artist or, if you feel we've missed a game-changing icon, suggest a new addition to our ever-evolving list. Join the thousands of art aficionados and pop culture enthusiasts in this thrilling quest to determine the ultimate artistic powerhouse. Don't miss out on being a part of this monumental decision – read on, vote, and watch history unfold before your eyes!

Who Is the Most Famous Female Artist?

1

67
votes
Guillermo Kahlo · Public domain

Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo

A Mexican painter known for her self-portraits and use of vibrant colors. Her art often depicted her pain and struggles in life, making her a feminist icon.
Description

Frida Kahlo is an iconic Mexican artist known for her powerful and introspective self-portraits. She is celebrated for her unique style that combines elements of Surrealism, symbolism, and traditional Mexican folk art. Kahlo's art often reflected her physical and emotional pain, as well as her deep connection to her Mexican heritage.

Birth Date: July 6, 1907

Death Date: July 13, 1954

Art Medium: Oil paintings, self-portraits

Artistic Style: Surrealism, symbolism, and folk art

Influences: Mexican culture, Diego Rivera, European modernism
Frida Kahlo in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous artist in Mexico
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous celebrity in Mexico
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous victim of Kyphosis
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous self-portrait photographer
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular Cancer Zodiac sign
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous artist of all time
2

30
votes
Alfred Stieglitz · Public domain

Georgia O'Keeffe

An American artist known for her large-scale flower paintings and Southwestern landscapes. She was a pioneer of modern art and challenged the traditional notion of female artists.
Georgia O'Keeffe in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous artist in New Mexico
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous person from New Mexico
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous American artist
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous watercolor artist
3

20
votes
Durand-Ruel · Public domain

Mary Cassatt

An American painter and printmaker known for her depictions of mothers and children. She was the only American artist to exhibit with the French Impressionists.
Mary Cassatt in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous watercolor artist
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous printmaker
4

14
votes
Garry Knight · CC BY 2.0

Yayoi Kusama

A Japanese contemporary artist known for her use of polka dots and infinity rooms. Her work explores themes of feminism, mental health, and the power of the individual.
Yayoi Kusama in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Asian artist
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous artist in Japan
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous Japanese artist
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous contemporary artist
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous modern artist
5

12
votes
Artemisia Gentileschi · Public domain

Artemisia Gentileschi

An Italian Baroque painter known for her dramatic depictions of strong women from history and mythology. She was a rare female artist in a male-dominated field during her time.
Artemisia Gentileschi in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous Baroque artist
6

8
votes
Piers Allardyce · CC BY 2.0

Tracey Emin

A British contemporary artist known for her confessional and provocative work. She explores themes of sexuality, identity, and trauma.
Tracey Emin in other rankings
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous British artist
7

10
votes
Erling Mandelmann · CC BY-SA 3.0

Barbara Hepworth

A British sculptor known for her abstract and organic forms. She was a leading figure in the British modernist movement.
Barbara Hepworth in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous sculptor artist
8

6
votes
New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General · CC BY 4.0

Cindy Sherman

An American photographer known for her self-portraits that explore themes of identity and gender roles. Her work challenges the notion of the male gaze in art.
Cindy Sherman in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous self-portrait photographer
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous still-life photographer
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous self-portrait photographer
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous contemporary artist
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous portrait photographer
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous photographer of all time
9

17
votes
Francesco Pierantoni from Bologna, Italy · CC BY 2.0

Marina Abramović

A Serbian performance artist known for her endurance-based works that explore the limits of the human body and mind.
Marina Abramović in other rankings
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous contemporary artist
10

4
votes
Louise Bourgeois

A French-American sculptor known for her abstract and often sexually charged works. Her art explores themes of trauma, memory, and the human psyche.
Louise Bourgeois in other rankings
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous sculptor artist

Missing your favorite artistess?

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Ranking factors for famous female artist

Record sales

This refers to the number of albums, singles, and digital downloads sold by the artist worldwide.
Chart success

This refers to the artist's ability to consistently have their music chart on popular music charts such as the Billboard Hot 100 or UK Singles Chart.
Critical reception

This refers to the reviews and ratings given to the artist's music by critics.
Influence and impact on music

This refers to the artist's ability to innovate and shape the music industry and inspire other artists.
Social media presence

This refers to the artist's popularity and engagement on social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Awards and accolades

This refers to the artist's nominations and wins for prestigious music awards such as the Grammy Awards or Brit Awards.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous female artist. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or artistess is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1974 views
188 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each artistess once every 24 hours. The rank of each artistess is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous female artist

When it comes to the world of art, there are many female artists that have left an indelible mark on the industry. From painters to sculptors, photographers to performance artists, these talented women have made significant contributions to the art world throughout history. Some of the most famous female artists include Frida Kahlo, Georgia O'Keeffe, Mary Cassatt, Yayoi Kusama, and Cindy Sherman. Each of these artists has a unique style and approach to their craft, and their work continues to inspire and influence artists today. In this poll, we aim to determine which of these iconic female artists is considered the most famous by the public.