As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we honour the remarkable contributions of women artists and reflect on their continued underrepresentation in the art market. Despite immense talent, women have long been undervalued. In 2018, MyArtBroker reported that only 24% of artists featured at art fairs were women. By 2022, Forbes estimated the gender pay gap in the art world at $192 billion, with works by women accounting for just 2% of global auction sales between 2008 and 2019.
At Chiswick Auctions, the Modern British department has achieved notable success in showcasing the work of female artists. This article highlights some of the most important and best-selling women whose artworks have achieved impressive results at auction.
Regarded as one of the most daring artists of her generation, Eileen Agar carved out a career rooted in individuality and imagination. Though she associated with the Surrealists during her time in Paris in the 1930s, Agar refused to be defined by the movement’s gendered constraints. Influenced by Henry Moore and Matisse, her paintings often combine found objects, photomontage, and bold abstraction.
Her standout work, A Sea Change (1958), layers sea greens and deep blues with bursts of orange to evoke both sensuality and subconscious memory. It featured in her 1971 retrospective and sold at Chiswick Auctions in 2023 for £32,500. Her growing market recognition is a fitting tribute to her bold and pioneering spirit.
Renowned for her whimsical still-life paintings and rich colour palette, Mary Fedden remains one of the most collectable names in Modern British art. Born in Bristol and trained at the Slade, Fedden found enduring inspiration in domestic life and the natural world. From her home at Durham Wharf in Chiswick, she captured the charm of everyday life with vibrant expression.
Two recent highlights from our auctions include The Fish Pot, which sold for £23,750, and The Offering, achieving £19,530 in 2024. Fedden’s distinctive style continues to resonate with collectors, securing her legacy as one of Britain’s most beloved female painters.
Helen Bradley gained recognition in the 1960s for her nostalgic depictions of Edwardian life in Lancashire. Her storytelling style, handwritten titles and soft brushwork make her work immediately recognisable. Her scenes, often based on childhood memories, evoke warmth and gentle humour.
Her painting On Saturday Evenings Mother Sang sold at Chiswick Auctions in 2023 for £36,250, highlighting the enduring popularity of her unique perspective and the emotional resonance of her work.
Mary Potter’s quiet yet powerful approach to painting earned her critical acclaim over decades. Her use of a subdued palette and soft abstraction creates a meditative atmosphere that draws the viewer in. Living and working in Chiswick before moving to Suffolk, her works often reflected intimate views from her own windows or nearby landscapes.
Her painting Bandstand, sold at Chiswick Auctions for £24,275 in 2023, exemplifies her signature muted tones and subtle light. Her influence, bolstered by her retrospective at Whitechapel Art Gallery in 1964, continues to grow among collectors and institutions alike.
Dorothea Sharp brought light and life to the British art scene with her Impressionist-inspired landscapes and joyful depictions of children. A regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy and Vice President of the Society of Women Artists, Sharp’s legacy is one of warmth, spontaneity and technical brilliance.
Her painting Children Paddling sold at Chiswick Auctions in 2024 for £10,710, reinforcing the continued admiration for her skill in capturing fleeting moments of innocence and joy.
The success of these artists not only reflects their immense talent but also signals a growing shift towards equity in the art market. While historical imbalances remain, the recognition of these remarkable women at auction is an encouraging step forward.
We are proud to continue this momentum. Several works by Mary Fedden will be featured in our upcoming Modern British & Irish Art auction on 27 March 2025. Among the highlights are her iconic still-life paintings and a moonlit picnic scene, each showcasing her bold colour and playful spirit.
Contact our Modern British & Irish Art Department at pictures@chiswickauctions.co.uk or submit an online valuation.