Female Artists and the Significance of Age

How has the mature female body been depicted in art, and why has ageing often been overlooked in art history? This is the subject of the special exhibition *Lifetime – Mature Women in Art* at the Skovgaard Museum in Viborg.

The exhibition focuses on female artists who worked at a time when society was largely preoccupied with the young, beautiful woman. At the same time, the artists themselves experienced how their own bodies were ageing. Through their art, you gain an insight into their life stories and the perspectives on age and the body that their works embody.

Meet artists from around 1900

The exhibition highlights female artists from the pioneering generation, including Anna Ancher, Bertha Wegmann and Susette Holten. Their works contribute to a broader narrative about women’s lives and work in the arts.

Focusing on age and the different stages of life, the exhibition explores why the ageing female body has rarely been met with the same recognition as the young. At the same time, the works offer an opportunity to take a closer look at the artists’ empathetic depictions of older bodies.

A new perspective on history

‘Livstid’ is based on a curatorial concept developed by the American art historian Alice Price, who wrote her PhD thesis on Anna Ancher. The concept was developed in collaboration with Ribe Art Museum, the Skovgaard Museum and Bornholm Art Museum.

The exhibition is accompanied by a research-based catalogue featuring contributions from Alice Price, Carina Rech, Marie Laulund, Yvette Brackmann and Pernille Rom Bruun. Together, the exhibition and the catalogue offer new perspectives on the life courses of female artists, the aesthetics of ageing, and the narratives that have shaped art history.

Practical information

Exhibition dates: 10 October 2026 to 7 February 2027.
Parking: There is parking in front of the museum for cars and buses.
Public transport: The museum is approximately a 10-minute walk from Viborg Station via the pedestrianised street.
Museum garden: Behind the museum is a small garden featuring works of art, a fountain, plants, and tables and chairs.