Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted Access (SIA Only)

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Art Business

First Advisor

Agnes Berecz

Second Advisor

Morgan Falconer

Abstract

This thesis examines the life and artistic legacy of Janet Sobel, a self-taught artist whose meteoric rise to fame was as astonishing as her following obscurity was undeserved. Sobel became a powerful presence in the New York art world, but due to societal biases against women artists and her unusual background, she was soon afterwards written out of history. While there has been increased interest in revisiting the legacies of those who have been historically marginalized, attention has been directed to Janet Sobel, and her contributions to Abstract Expressionism and modern art are being reevaluated. By examining reviews of the recent unprecedented museum exhibition dedicated to Sobel’s work, this study reveals that there is an evident need for rewriting the art historical narrative in which essential figures in the development of certain art movements have been overlooked. Through a combination of these reviews and research of her performance on the art market, this thesis shows that there has been a surge of interest in Sobel’s artistic contributions, and of her remarkable work. Drawing on archival research, family recollections, and analyses of artworks, this study also situates Sobel’s innovative techniques within broader artistic movements of the mid-20th century, and provides context to why she was neglected for a long period of time. Lastly, this thesis agrees with the many advocates of a more inclusive narrative that celebrates the overlooked contributions by women and self-taught artists.

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