The binary approach to gender differentiation has proved to be one of the most far-reaching social categories ever defined. It has given rise to mechanisms of structural power and oppression that are especially prevalent in the world of culture.

Addressing the underrepresentation of women artists past and present, this catalog conducts a critique of the collection housed by Märkisches Museum Witten. It focuses on fifty women artists that are part of its collection to highlight exemplary artistic trends between 1900 and today. Rather than providing an exhaustive analysis of women’s role in modern art, it offers insights into the works added to the museum’s holdings during this era as an expression of its uniqueness.

The book shines a critical light on gender relations in the museum’s collection and its operations. Why do differences in sex and gender lead to women being regarded as unequal in society? What is the structural and institutional balance of power in the world of visual arts?

Including works by: Marianne Aue, Elke Balzer-Kahl, Gerlinde Beck, Hilde Broër, Dora Castell, Chow Chung-cheng, Frauke Dannert, Helga Elben, Thekla Diedrich-Wrede, FRANEK, Ida Gerhardi, Lis Goebel, Ise Hanf-Weinholt, Hannah Höch, Anna Holzhauer, Mienske Janssen, Tina Juretzek, Eva Maria Kentner, Ida Kerkovius, Annemarie Kirchner-Kruse, Käthe Kollwitz, Sigrid Kopfermann, Kirsten Krüger, Andrea Küster, Vala Lamberger, Roswitha Lüder, Brigitte Matschinsky-Denninghoff, Paula Modersohn-Becker, Maina-Miriam Munsky, Gabriele Münter, Hanna Nagel, Eva Niestrath-Berger, Catalina Pabón, Grete Penner, RISSA, Tanja Rochelmeyer, Marie-Louise von Rogister, Marjana Scheriau, Elisabeth Schmitz, Gisela Schwarz-Kleegraf, Constanze Schwedeler, Renée Sintenis, Susanne Stähli, Ulrike Termeer, Hedwig Thun, URSULA, Elisabeth Voigt, Viktoria Wehrmeister, Irmgart Wessel-Zumloh, Dorothee von Windheim.