Pride and Prejudice explores the conditions and challenges female artists faced in mid-eighteenth century France and Sweden. During this time women had no access to state-run artistic education and the few who did were dependent on men for their success.

Over time the art world – like the rest of society – evolved, and the democratization of portraiture allowed women to make a living from their art.

A total of 250 paintings, drawings and embroidered pieces are on show in this exhibition at the National Museum. Despite the challenges all of the female artists featured in this exhibition managed to carve out a professional role in the art-world during the 17-1800’s.

This exhibition is showing now until January 20, 2013.