The art press at the fin de siècle: women, collecting, and connoisseurship

The role of the art press has been proved crucial in the early formation of art history. The study of art criticism at the turn of the century, however, is still mainly focused on male figures, such as Roger Fry (1866–1934) and Bernard Berenson (1865–1959). In fact, evidence indicates that women were important contributors to these debates through their contributions in the new periodicals: The Studio, The Connoisseur, and The Burlington Magazine. This essay offers key examples of women writers, such as Julia Frankau (1859–1916), Julia Cartwright (1851–1924), and Mary Berenson (1864–1944). It explores thematic case studies on decorative art, the Old Masters, and collections history. Although these writers lacked institutional affiliations, their scholarly approaches overturn gender stereotypes of superficiality. Women writers were also often attuned to the interconnectivity of the press, collecting, art production, and the art market.