Joan Semmel

Joan Semmel (b. 1932) is a groundbreaking American painter whose bold figurative work redefines portrayals of the female form. Initially influenced by Abstract Expressionism, Semmel pivoted to self-portraiture, addressing sexuality, aging, and female agency. A pivotal figure in feminist art, her influential retrospectives include "Skin in the Game" at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (2021). Semmel’s work resides in major collections including the Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, Tate Modern, Brooklyn Museum, and Carnegie Museum of Art.