Women artists have been overlooked throughout history. Although steps are being taken to redress this imbalance, women remain underrepresented in collections and sometimes it can be difficult to find their works or even to know where to start looking. There are thousands of women artists represented on Art UK, and to give you a place to start exploring their works we have created 26 Curations of women artists, divided up by surname A-Z. The set of Curations contains works by 1,000 female artists in total. You won't find the likes of Frida Kahlo or Hilma af Klint as their works are not in UK public collections (yet), but you will find a wealth of art from works by Eileen Agar to Doris Zinkeisen – and plenty more in between.
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Vanessa Bell (1879–1961)
Mrs St John Hutchinson 1915
Vanessa Bell (1879–1961)
Oil on board
H 73.7 x W 57.8 cm
Tate
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Marjorie May Bacon (1902–1977)
Racehorses Parading 1949
Marjorie May Bacon (1902–1977)
Oil on board
H 50 x W 75 cm
Great Yarmouth Museums
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Jo Baer (b.1929)
Stations of the Spectrum (Primary) 1967–9
Jo Baer (b.1929)
Oil and acrylic on canvas
Tate
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Rachel Baes (1912–1983)
Interior 1943
Rachel Baes (1912–1983)
Oil on canvas
H 66 x W 53 cm
Rediscovering Art by Women
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Ethelwyn Baker (1899–1988)
Saffron Walden Pond, Essex 1985
Ethelwyn Baker (1899–1988)
Oil on canvas
H 37 x W 40 cm
University of Reading Art Collection
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Gladys Marguerite Baker (1889–1959)
Destruction at Holborn Viaduct: City Temple and St Andrew's, Holborn 1940
Gladys Marguerite Baker (1889–1959)
Oil on canvas board
H 30.3 x W 41 cm
Royal Air Force Museum
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Joan Elizabeth Baker (1922–2017)
Marcross 1987
Joan Elizabeth Baker (1922–2017)
Oil on canvas
H 53.5 x W 76 cm
University of South Wales Art Collection Museum
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Julia Ball (b.1930)
May 1990
Julia Ball (b.1930)
Oil on board
H 152.5 x W 122 cm
The Women’s Art Collection
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Fiona Banner (b.1966)
Inside-Out Aviator Glasses 1994
Fiona Banner (b.1966)
Aluminium, glass & metal
H 6.5 x W 14.5 x D 14.5 cm
Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre
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Sybil Barham (1877–1950)
Kate Ethel Cowderoy (1875–1972)
Sybil Barham (1877–1950)
Oil on board
H 28 x W 24 cm
Bushey Museum and Art Gallery
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Cicely Mary Barker (1895–1973)
Out of Great Tribulation 1948
Cicely Mary Barker (1895–1973)
Oil on wood
H 132 x W 233 cm
Croydon Art Collection
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Elsie Barling (1883–1976)
Blue Pool, Purbeck, Dorset
Elsie Barling (1883–1976)
Oil on canvas
H 50 x W 60 cm
Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society
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Phyllida Barlow (b.1944)
Untitled: Triplestackboulders 2014
Phyllida Barlow (1944–2023)
Polystyrene, polyurethane foam, scrim, cement, varnish, spraypaint, pva, timber, plywood & castors
H 226 x W 183 x D 191 cm
Yorkshire Sculpture Park
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Emily Lawton Barnard (1840–1911)
Alderman Philip Matthews 1892
Emily Lawton Barnard (1840–1911)
Oil on canvas
H 120 x W 94 cm
The Mansion House and Guildhall
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Margaret Barnard (1898–1992)
Clock Tower, Ullapool
Margaret Barnard (1898–1992)
Oil on board
H 35.5 x W 25.3 cm
Rye Art Gallery
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Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (1912–2004)
Red Painting 1957
Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (1912–2004)
Oil on canvas
H 102 x W 152.5 cm
Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust
© Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust. Image credit: Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust
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Emilie Isabel Barrington (1844–1933)
Portrait of a Girl Seated
Emilie Isabel Barrington (1841–1933)
Oil on panel
H 66 x W 76 cm
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Culture Service, Leighton House Museum
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Gladys Barron (1884–1967)
Neil Gunn (1891–1973), Novelist
Gladys Barron (1884–1967)
Plaster
H 41.3 cm
National Galleries of Scotland
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Glenys Barton (b.1944)
Jean Muir (1928–1995) 1992
Glenys Barton (b.1944)
Ceramic
H 67 cm
National Portrait Gallery, London
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Maria Bartuszová (1936–1996)
Folded Relief II 1966
Maria Bartuszová (1936–1996)
Plaster
H 15 x W 31.5 x D 34 cm
Tate
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Emma Batchelor-Flint (1883–1968)
Bottle Kilns 1950
Emma Batchelor-Flint (1883–1968)
Oil on canvas
H 40.5 x W 51 cm
The New Art Gallery Walsall
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Edith Bateson (1867–1938)
Lambing Time 1918
Edith Bateson (1867–1938)
Watercolour on paper
H 23 x W 32 cm
Bushey Museum and Art Gallery
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Ida Baumann (1864–1932)
Agnata Frances Ramsay c.1891
Ida Baumann (1864–1932)
Oil on canvas
H 72 x W 58 cm
Girton College, University of Cambridge
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Charlotte Bawden (1902–1970)
Eric Sawbridge 1932
Charlotte Bawden (1902–1970)
Oil on canvas
H 76 x W 49 cm
Fry Art Gallery
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Jessie Bayes (1876–1970)
Landscape with Rabbits 1915
Jessie Bayes (1876–1970)
Oil on canvas
H 127.5 x W 89.8 cm
Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre
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Mary Beale (1633–1699)
Self Portrait c.1675
Mary Beale (1633–1699)
Oil on sacking
H 89 x W 73 cm
West Suffolk Heritage Service
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Penelope Beaton (1886–1963)
Still Life
Penelope Beaton (1886–1963)
Oil on canvas laid on board
H 67.1 x W 82.8 cm
Royal Scottish Academy of Art & Architecture
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Celia Frances Bedford (1904–1959)
Lady with a Powder Puff exhibited 1937
Celia Frances Bedford (1904–1959)
Oil on canvas
H 61 x W 74 cm
Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum
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Bertha Ridley Bell (1898–1955)
Corn Stooks in Late Summer 1940–1955
Bertha Ridley Bell (1898–1955)
Oil on board
H 32.8 x W 40.5 cm
Poole Museum Service
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Ophelia Gordon Bell (1915–1975)
Anhydrite 1951
Ophelia Gordon Bell (1915–1975)
Anhydrite
H 56 x W 61 x D 17 cm
Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum
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Elinor Bellingham-Smith (1906–1988)
The Island 1951
Elinor Bellingham-Smith (1906–1988)
Oil on canvas
H 142.2 x W 182.9 cm
Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre
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Helena Ben-Zenou (b.1970)
The Imposition (Prospect Room, Wollaton Hall, February 2006) 2006
Helena Ben-Zenou (b.1970)
Acrylic & mixed media on board
H 181 x W 170.4 cm
Nottingham City Museums & Galleries
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Nadia Benois (1896–1975)
Lou Prat de Julia, Provence, France 1937
Nadia Benois (1896–1975)
Oil on canvas
H 63.3 x W 76.4 cm
Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
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Daisy Radcliffe Beresford (1879–1939)
The Reverend Stuart Headlam (1847–1924), BA 1907
Daisy Radcliffe Beresford (1879–1939)
Oil on canvas
H 124.5 x W 85.7 cm
Paintings Collection
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Mary Beresford-Williams (b.1931)
Summer on the Dart
Mary Beresford-Williams (b.1931)
Oil on canvas
H 75 x W 100 cm
Burton Art Gallery and Museum
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Alice Berger-Hammerschlag (1917–1969)
Vanishing Barriers 1966
Alice Berger Hammerschlag (1917–1969)
Oil on canvas
H 61 x W 45.8 cm
Down County Museum
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Eleanor Best (1875–1957)
Here Is the News 1941
Eleanor Best (1875–1957)
Oil on canvas
H 74.7 x W 61.8 cm
Newport Museum and Art Gallery
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Agnes Beverley Burton (1892–1967)
Model
Agnes Beverley Burton (1892–1967)
Oil on board
H 45 x W 55 cm
Monmouthshire Museums Service
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Sarah Biffin (1784–1850)
Sarah Biffin
Sarah Biffin (1784–1850)
Watercolour on unseen material (ivory or board)
H 9 x W 7.5 cm
Wellcome Collection
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Pearl Binder (1904–1990)
Immigrants 1960
Pearl Binder (1904–1990)
Lithograph on paper
H 32 x W 23 cm
Ben Uri Collection
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Ginette Bingguely-Lejeune (1895–1965)
Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936) 1936–1937
Ginette Bingguely-Lejeune (1895–1965)
Bronze
H 58.4 x W 20 x D 20 cm
National Portrait Gallery, London
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Edith Birkin (1927–2018)
A Camp of Twins: Auschwitz 1980–1982
Edith Birkin (1927–2018)
Oil on board
H 71.2 x W 91.4 cm
IWM (Imperial War Museums)
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Mary Black (c.1737–1814)
Jeremiah Milles (1714–1784) 1787
Mary Black (c.1737–1814)
Oil on canvas
H 76 x W 63 cm
Society of Antiquaries of London
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Elizabeth Blackadder (1931–2021)
Flowers and Black Cat 1976
Elizabeth V. Blackadder (1931–2021)
Oil on canvas
H 90 x W 106 cm
Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, mima
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, mima
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Mavis Blackburn (1923–2005)
Ashburton, Devon
Mavis Blackburn (1923–2005)
Acrylic on board
H 84 x W 107 cm
University of Liverpool
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Elva Joan Blacker (1908–1984)
Off Duty, Biggin Hill c.1942
Elva Joan Blacker (1908–1984)
Oil on canvas
H 58 x W 96.5 cm
Royal Air Force Museum
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Dorothy Blackham (1896–1975)
Keele, Achill, County Mayo
Dorothy Blackham (1896–1975)
Oil on panel
H 80.3 x W 63.4 cm
Queen's University Belfast
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Audrey Blackman (1907–1990)
Adrian Frank Posnette (1914–2004) and Geoffrey Emett Blackman (1903–1980) 1979
Audrey Blackman (1907–1990)
Clay
H 25 x W 21.1 x D 10.5 cm
The Royal Society
© the copyright holder. Image credit: The Royal Society
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Ursula Ruth Blackwell (1909–1991)
Limbs 1930/1940
Ursula Ruth Blackwell (1909–1991)
Oil on canvas
H 88.5 x W 63 cm
National Trust, 2 Willow Road
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Doris Violet Blair (1915–2011)
American Nurse (Second Lieutenant Freda Gladys Theil Fox, 1918–2019) 1939–1945
Doris Violet Blair (1915–2011)
Oil on canvas
H 76.2 x W 61 cm
National Museums NI
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Helen Blair (1907–1997)
Scene from the Book of Job 1936
Helen Blair (1907–1997)
Oil on canvas
H 61 x W 76.2 cm
Rediscovering Art by Women
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Naomi Blake (1924–2018)
Abraham and Isaac 1987
Naomi Blake (1924–2018)
Resin & fibreglass
H 48 x W 25 x D 13 cm
Ben Uri Collection
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Marie Blancour (active mid-17th C)
A Bowl of Flowers 1650s
Marie Blancour (active mid-17th C)
Oil on canvas
H 65.5 x W 51.4 cm
The National Gallery, London
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Emily Beatrice Bland (1864–1951)
The Bouquet
Emily Beatrice Bland (1864–1951)
Oil on canvas
H 45.8 x W 36 cm
Manchester Art Gallery
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Sandra Blow (1925–2006)
Abstract/Blue
Sandra Blow (1925–2006)
Oil on canvas
H 137.5 x W 123 cm
Government Art Collection
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Anna Blunden (1829–1915)
The Song of the Shirt 1854
Anna Blunden (1829–1915)
Oil on canvas
H 47 x W 39.4 cm
Yale Center for British Art
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Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon (1827–1891)
Study of Sunflowers
Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon (1827–1891)
Oil on canvas
H 79 x W 39 cm
Girton College, University of Cambridge
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Phyllis Mary Bone (1894–1972)
Mallard Drying c.1942
Phyllis Mary Bone (1894–1972)
Bronze
H 30.5 x W 22 x D 30.5 cm
Glasgow Life Museums
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Rosa Bonheur (1822–1899)
Landscape with Cattle 1856
Rosa Bonheur (1822–1899)
Oil on canvas
H 68.3 x W 99.1 cm
The Hepworth Wakefield
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Rose Dempster Bonnor (1875–1967)
Portrait of a Woman 1896
Rose Dempster Bonnor (1875–1967)
Oil on canvas
H 47.8 x W 40.3 cm
Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
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Wendela Boreel (1895–1985)
Landscape in Nude
Wendela Boreel (1895–1985)
Oil on board
H 45.5 x W 61 cm
Government Art Collection
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Christine Borland (b.1965)
After a True Story – Giant and Fairy Tales 1997
Christine Borland (b.1965)
Nu-clay, glass, dust & leather
Glasgow Life Museums
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Esther Borough Johnson (1866–1958)
The Round Pond 1934
Esther Borough Johnson (1866–1958)
Oil on canvas
H 50.5 x W 76 cm
Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage
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Pauline Boty (1938–1966)
The Only Blonde in the World 1963
Pauline Boty (1938–1966)
Oil on canvas
H 122.4 x W 153 cm
Tate
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Joy Boundy (d.2001)
Sky Kiss 1999
Joy Boundy (d.2001)
Oil on canvas
H 111.5 x W 122 cm
University of Exeter, Fine Art Collection
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Louise Bourgeois (1911–2010)
Maman 1999
Louise Bourgeois (1911–2010)
Steel & marble
H 927.1 x W 891.5 x D 1023.6 cm
Tate
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Stella Bowen (1893–1947)
G. D. H. Cole c.1944–1945
Stella Bowen (1893–1947)
Oil on board
H 39 x W 30 cm
Nuffield College, University of Oxford
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Jane Maria Bowkett (1837–1891)
Girl at a Well c.1886
Jane Maria Bowkett (1837–1891)
Oil on canvas
H 86.5 x W 51 cm
Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
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Sonia Boyce (b.1962)
We Move in Her Way: Dancers 2017
Sonia Boyce (b.1962)
Photograph
H 151 x W 111 cm
Royal Academy of Arts
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Alicia Boyle (1908–1997)
Twin Churches, Mykonos, Greece c.1940
Alicia Boyle (1908–1997)
Oil on canvas
H 34 x W 41 cm
West Northamptonshire Council
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Dorothea Braby (1909–1987)
Branwyn, Daughter of Llyr 1949
Dorothea Braby (1909–1987)
Oil, black ink & coloured pencils on white card
H 14.6 x W 23.2 cm
Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
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Olive Brackenbury (active 1916)
Queenhithe Dock, Viewed from Bankside, Southwark
Olive Brackenbury (active 1916)
Oil on canvas
H 70 x W 60 cm
Queen Mary, University of London
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Dorothy Bradford (1918–2008)
Allegri String Quartet, Rodewald, Liverpool, 20 October 1964 1964
Dorothy Bradford (1918–2008)
Oil on board
H 91 x W 213 cm
Royal Northern College of Music
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Constance Bradshaw (1872–1961)
A Sussex Farm
Constance Bradshaw (1872–1961)
Oil on canvas
H 61.5 x W 75 cm
Salford Museum & Art Gallery
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Ann Brain (b.1944)
Shuckburgh Sunset, Warwickshire 2003
Ann Brain (b.1944)
Oil on canvas
H 38 x W 43 cm
Rugby Art Gallery and Museum Art Collections
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Phyllis Bray (1911–1991)
August Evening c.1940–1949
Phyllis Bray (1911–1991)
Oil on canvas
H 61 x W 91.4 cm
Walker Art Gallery
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Dorothy Eugénie Brett (1883–1977)
Massacre in the Canyon of Death: Vision of the Sun God 1958
Dorothy Eugénie Brett (1883–1977)
Oil and mixed media on board
H 88.3 x W 67.9 cm
Tate
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Anna Richards Brewster (1870–1952)
Whitelands College May Day Procession, 1902 1902–1903
Anna Richards Brewster (1870–1952)
Oil on canvas
H 103 x W 149 cm
University of Roehampton
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Emmy Bridgwater (1906–1999)
Night Work is about to Commence 1940–1943
Emmy Bridgwater (1906–1999)
Oil on board
H 46 x W 61 cm
Birmingham Museums Trust
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Beatrice Bright (1861–1940)
Mrs Lurline May Higgon (1875–1959) exhibited 1918
Beatrice Bright (1861–1940)
Oil on canvas
H 141 x W 90 cm
Pembrokeshire County Council's Museums Service
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Ethel Susan Graham Bristowe (1862–1952)
A Midsummer Bunch 1930s
Ethel Susan Graham Bristowe (1862–1952)
Oil on canvas
H 95.6 x W 63 cm
Dumfries and Galloway Council
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Anne Isabella Brooke (1916–2002)
Towards Ingleborough, across Ribblesdale c.1973
Anne Isabella Brooke (1916–2002)
Oil on canvas
H 35.5 x W 56 cm
Southend Museums Service
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Marjorie Brooks (1904–1980)
Portrait of Mrs Cécile M. G. Dorward (1911–2004) 1940
Marjorie Brooks (1904–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 90.1 x W 69.7 cm
University of Liverpool
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Myrtle Florence Broome (1888–1978)
Eastern Desert, Egypt
Myrtle Florence Broome (1888–1978)
Oil on canvas
H 25 x W 31 cm
Bushey Museum and Art Gallery
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Irene Mary Browne (1881–1977)
Woman Stretching
Irene Mary Browne (1881–1977)
Glazed ceramic
Hammersmith and Fulham Archives and Local History Centre
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Amy Katherine Browning (1881–1978)
Morning
Amy Katherine Browning (1881–1978)
Oil on canvas
H 62 x W 74 cm
The Culture Trust, Luton
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Marjorie Frances Bruford (1902–1958)
In the Flower Field 1934
Marjorie Frances Bruford (1902–1958)
Oil on canvas
H 60 x W 44 cm
Towner
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Helen Byrne Bryce (1891–1971)
An Impression of Burford High Street, Oxfordshire 1922
Helen Byrne Bryce (1891–1971)
Oil & watercolour on paper
H 39 x W 50 cm
Tolsey Museum
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Lilian Ruth Buchanan (1914–2004)
The Ops Room, RAF Kenley 1943
Lilian Ruth Buchanan (1914–2004)
Oil on hardboard
H 76.5 x W 97 cm
Bentley Priory Museum
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Eveleen Buckton (1872–1962)
Marshland, South of Aberglaslyn 1930–1955
Eveleen Buckton (1872–1962)
Etching on paper
H 12 x W 19.3 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
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Kate Elizabeth Bunce (1858–1927)
Musica c.1890–1902
Kate Elizabeth Bunce (1858–1927)
Oil on canvas
H 76.3 x W 50.9 cm
Birmingham Museums Trust
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Coralie de Burgh (1924–2015)
Deer at Castle Upton, Templepatrick
Coralie de Burgh (1924–2015)
Oil on canvas
H 23 x W 39 cm
Northern Ireland Civil Service
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Averil Burleigh (1883–1949)
Washerwomen c.1930
Averil Burleigh (1883–1949)
Oil on canvas
H 94.2 x W 119.2 cm
Brighton & Hove Museums
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Veronica Burleigh (1909–1998)
Flying Officer Ross c.1943
Veronica Burleigh (1909–1998)
Oil on canvas
H 42 x W 32 cm
Royal Air Force Museum
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June Burnett (1936–2010)
Zoot 58
June Burnett (1936–2010)
Oil on canvas
H 149 x W 104 cm
The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
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Ruth Burt-Smith (1864–1946)
Thora with Goldfish c.1934
Ruth Burt-Smith (1864–1946)
Oil on canvas
H 39.5 x W 49.5 cm
Torre Abbey Museum
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Enid Constance Butcher (1902–1991)
Breton Washerwomen 1929–1931
Enid Constance Butcher (1902–1991)
Etching on paper
H 12.5 x W 11.5 cm
Chippenham Museum
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Elizabeth Southerden Thompson Butler (1846–1933)
The Remnants of an Army 1879
Elizabeth Southerden Thompson Butler (1846–1933)
Oil on canvas
H 132.1 x W 233.7 cm
Tate
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Mildred Anne Butler (1858–1941)
A Mother and Child by a River, with Wild Roses 1900
Mildred Anne Butler (1858–1941) (attributed to)
Oil on canvas
H 114.5 x W 152.5 cm
National Trust, Killerton