This exhibition, 'Dibujantas: Pioneers of Illustration,' celebrates the work of women who revolutionized the field of illustration in Spain. It showcases 130 works by 40 artists, tracing their contributions from the late 19th century to the 1990s, highlighting their role in Spanish publications like Blanco y Negro and ABC.
The exhibition 'Dibujantas: Pioneers of Illustration,' presented by the Fundación Colección ABC and the Ayuntamiento de Córdoba, is the first collective exhibition dedicated to women who made a significant impact on the world of illustration. Featuring 130 works by 40 artists, it spans a century of Spanish illustration, from its early pioneers to modern figures. The exhibition is organized into four chronological sections: 'They Paved the Way,' covering the early 20th century with artists like Madame Gironella and Maroussia Valero; 'First Modernity,' focusing on the interwar period with influences from cubism and art deco, featuring artists such as Ángeles Torner Cervera, Piti Bartolozzi, and Marga Gil Roësset; 'The Post-War Period,' highlighting artists like Xelia and Coti who continued to work through the challenging post-war years; and 'The Youngest,' showcasing illustrators from the 1970s onwards, including Aitana Martín and Mar Ferrero, reflecting social and technological changes.
This exhibition aims to shed light on the work and lives of these women, many of whom worked for prominent publications like *Blanco y Negro* and *ABC*. It underscores the crucial role these publications played in the professionalization of illustration and provided a dignified, remunerated, and publicly recognized career for these female artists. The exhibition draws from the extensive Colección ABC, a unique artistic collection initiated in 1891, which boasts nearly 150,000 works by over 1,500 artists. Curated by Marta González Orbegozo and Josefina Alix, 'Dibujantas' not only celebrates past achievements but also serves as a foundation for future research into the valuable contributions of women to illustration and art.