Includes bibliographical references (pages 217) and index.

Preface: Why Women? -- Introduction: Remarkably Resilient -- Ch. 1. Out of the Shadows 1500-1600 -- Ch. 2. The Celebrated Line of Women Artists 1600-1750 -- Ch. 3. Objects of Fascination 1750-1850 -- Ch. 4. The Glory Days 1850-1910 -- Ch. 5. Profession: Artist 1910-1970 -- Ch. 6. The Feminist Revolution 1970 and after.

"The quest of women artists to gain respect and success in their field has been a centuries-long struggle and has, understandably, always been documented as such - a tortured account of thwarted aspirations, the result of the disinterest and exclusionary tactics of a male-dominated art establishment.".

"A World of Our Own, however, breaks from this literary tradition to provide an inspirational account of the way in which women have succeeded and prospered as professional artists, from 1500 to the present day, in spite of the unique challenges confronting them. Author Frances Borzello offers an entirely new perspective by showing women artists as the survivors they truly were (and still are). She takes the obstacles these women faced for granted - just as they themselves did - and reveals, through their own lives and words, how they found training and earned a living, despite being treated as intruders in the world of art. Their determination to succeed, and the distinctive space they forged (and continue to forge) for themselves and for future generations, is what makes their adventures in art so interesting." "Illustrated throughout, A World of Our Own is both a triumphant tale of adversity overcome and an enthusiastic celebration of tenacity and creativity."--BOOK JACKET.