Category: Artists

THE FILMMAKERS The McDonagh Sisters

Throughout the 1920s, three sisters dominated the Australian film scene. The phenomenal filmmaking team of Isabel, Phyllis, and Paulette McDonagh reigned supreme as the undisputed Queens of Silent Cinema… until the talkies arrived to turn everything upside down. Our guest Mandy Sayer, award-winning author of Those Dashing McDonagh Sisters, reveals the hidden history of the remarkable women whose lives were every bit as dramatic (and every bit as complicated) as any Hollywood film. You’ll find …

20th century / Artists / Australia / Film / First woman to... / Journalists / Oceania / Performers / Theater / Writers

THE INDOMITABLE SPIRIT Artemisia Gentileschi

Artemisia Gentileschi was one of the most famed and respected painters in 17th century Europe. But after she died, her story (and many of her works) were lost – and over the years, Artemisia has become better known for what was done to her than for what she did. Award-winning artist Lindsay Huss helps us try to change that. (Content warning: discussions of physical and sexual violence)     All paintings by Artemisia Gentileschi unless …

17th century / Artists / Europe / First woman to... / Italy

BONUS EPISODE: A Night of Celebration LIVE

What’sHerName goes LIVE! To launch our new book, What’s Her Name, A History of the World in 80 Lost Women, former episode guests convene in London from all over the world for a Night of Celebration! In rapid-fire succession, brilliant 3-minute performances of poetry, song, story, and dance take us chronologically through the history of the world. The magic is punctuated throughout with short readings from the new book by Katie and Olivia. The packed …

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THE CLEANING LADY Seraphine of Senlis

How did a lifelong cleaning lady become one of the most beloved painters in French history? In 1905, the voice of the Virgin Mary told orphaned, uneducated maid Seraphine to paint, and she obeyed. Her small French town was on the front line of both world wars, and through it all she painted her kaleidoscopic view. She died penniless and unknown, but when a film about her aired on French television a couple years ago, …

20th century / Artists / Europe / France / Religion

A COUNTRY HOUSE CHRISTMAS Phyllis Sandeman: 2022 Christmas Special

The darkest time of year inspires us all to reflect on the meaning and power of Home. Experience Christmas in a grand country house through the eyes of an Edwardian child in this charming reading of Phyllis Elinor Sandeman’s memoir, A Country House Christmas. Performed by returning favorite guest Jay Stelling. For a “virtual visit” to Sandeman’s home, explore this fun collection of artifacts from Lyme Park at the National Trust.   Jay Stelling is …

20th century / Artists / Christmas Specials / England / Europe / Special Episodes / Writers

THE SCREENWRITER Frances Marion

Frances Marion was one of the most important, influential, and well-paid screenwriters in Hollywood. Her films moved audiences to tears and brought out the best in every actor for whom she ever wrote. And when the switch to ‘talking pictures’ left most other silent film writers in the dust, Frances continued to astonish, creating dozens of the most famous and beloved films of the first half of the 20th century. So how come nobody remembers …

20th century / Artists / North America / Theater / United States / Writers

THE PAINTER Victorine Meurent

Chances are, every one of us has seen Victorine Meurent. Her delicate, red-headed form appears in at least thirty paintings by the famous Parisian masters of La Belle Époque. It was long assumed that Victorine was a prostitute, who died young in some tragically romantic way. But when our guest Drēma Drudge saw Victorine staring out from Manet’s famous painting Olympia, she felt called to uncover the woman’s story. And now we know that none …

19th century / 20th century / Artists / Europe / France / You Think You Know Her

THE ILLUSTRATOR Tasha Tudor: 2020 Christmas Special

Tasha Tudor’s charming and warm-hearted illustrations of over 100 books, plus her nostalgic advent calendars and Christmas cards, earned her devoted fans around the world. But her way of life fascinated people as much as her illustrations. Even though she lived to 2008, she lived with conscious intention as if it were 1830. Her life was rooted in simplicity, creativity, and taking it slow. In this year’s Christmas Special, we read from her Christmas classic, …

20th century / Artists / Christmas Specials / North America / Special Episodes / United States / Writers

THE LITTLE WOMAN May Alcott Nieriker

Loved this episode? Join us on our Lost Women of New England Tour in Oct 2023 for a private VIP tour of Orchard House and May Alcott’s art studio, visit Louisa May’s grave at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and so much more! May Alcott failed spectacularly countless times before becoming a great artist.  Immortalized by her sister Louisa as the vain, vivacious Amy in Little Women, the real youngest “March” sister was a conscientious, creative, and …

19th century / Artists / Educators / Europe / France / North America / Travel / United States

THE RESISTANCE Truus and Freddie Oversteegen

Freddie and Truus Oversteegen were just 14 and 16 years old when the Nazis invaded their hometown of Haarlem. Determined to do their part, the sisters joined the Dutch Resistance and began bombing trains, smuggling out Jewish children, and running refugee safehouses. But their most dangerous work was also their most unlikely: assassinating Nazi officers in broad daylight. Olivia interviews guest Sophie Poldermans, author of Seducing and Killing Nazis, to discover this astounding true story …

20th century / Artists / Europe / Military / Netherlands / Politics / Transcripts / War