Art Buzz: Must-See Show

The Toledo Museum of Art proudly presents “Rachel Ruysch: Nature Into Art,” the first monographic exhibition of Dutch painter Rachel Ruysch (1664–1750). At a time when women’s access to careers as professional artists was severely limited, Ruysch nevertheless became a highly successful painter. Born into a well-to-do family, she was the daughter of renowned professor of anatomy and botany Frederik Ruysch—who arranged for her apprenticeship with one of the premier floral still-life painters of the day. She married a painter, had 11 children, became the first female member of the artist’s guild in The Hague and was the first female court artist to one of the most important German nobles of the period. She was also among the highest-paid artists of her time and continued to paint into her 80s. 

Despite the great success she achieved in her lifetime, Ruysch has never received the attention she deserves. This exhibition, which runs through July 27^th, explores her fascinating life and work for the first time and juxtaposes them with those of her sister Anna, who was an accomplished painter in her own right, though is all but forgotten today.