Salon Societies: The Women Who Shaped Modern Art

Long before modern art found its home in museums, it thrived in salons, collections, and networks cultivated by women. From gatherings in Europe to avant-garde circles in early 20th-century New York, these women nurtured artists, championed emerging talent, and shaped the tastes that defined modern culture. In a 3-session series, art historian Jennie Hirsh highlights the salonnières and patrons who forged spaces where innovation flourished. This session focuses on Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, Lillie P. Bliss, and Peggy Guggenheim. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)