Artist Ruth Weisberg and Jack Rutberg with Weisberg’s painting titled “1947.” [Courtesy photo]
In a recent interview, Pasadena Now’s David Cross sat down with Jack Rutberg, owner and director of Jack Rutberg Fine Arts in Pasadena, who offered insights into the evolving role of women in the art world. Rutberg’s gallery, established in the early 1980s in Los Angeles, has consistently showcased female artists, not as a reaction to trends, but as a natural inclusion based on the merit of the art itself.
Rutberg recently traveled to Mougins, France, for the opening of Femmes Artistes du Musee de Mougins, which translates to Female Artists of Mougins Museum (FAMM), Europe’s first private museum dedicated exclusively to significant women artists.
“This museum is founded by and features the collection of one man—a formidable collector who has acquired a number of works from me,” Rutberg said. “It underscores the fact that my gallery has always featured women artists.”
This development is significant, marking a new era of recognition for female artists from the Impressionist era to contemporary times. Rutberg’s connection to this museum serves as a testament to his gallery’s longstanding commitment to inclusivity.
Rutberg has always maintained an inclusive approach, displaying works based on artistic merit rather than the gender of the creator.
“While much is said about championing women artists, my gallery has always been inclusive to such a degree that when I was honored by a local chapter of a national women’s group about 20 years ago, I was mystified as to why,” Rutberg recalled. “They pointed out that I had made a significant contribution in the advancement of women artists.”
This commitment to inclusivity is evident in his current exhibition, Art A to Z, which features both male and female artists. Rutberg emphasized that gender has never been a criterion for exhibition.
“I have no interest in left-handed artists, tall artists, short artists, male artists, or female artists. It’s all part of our Western cultural history,” he noted.
The journey toward parity in the art world has been arduous, with women historically excluded from many galleries.
“There were periods in our history when it was deemed bohemian or inappropriate for a woman to create works of art,” Rutberg explained. “Art is a remarkable mirror to the broader society and always has been.”
As history documents, women began gaining more visibility with the advent of modern art in the 19th century, although true parity remains a work in progress. Artists like Marry Cassatt who was associated with the French Impressionist and Lee Krasner who was overshadowed by her husband Jackson Pollock.
Art A to Z, Rutberg’s current exhibition, is not exclusively about women but includes them as integral participants. It highlights the recognition of female artists who have historically been denied equal platforms. “Women have always been a part of that,” Rutberg stated, emphasizing the exhibition’s inclusive nature.
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts, located at 600 South Lake Avenue, Pasadena, offers a welcoming space for art enthusiasts of all kinds, providing ample free parking. The gallery is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, inviting visitors to explore its diverse and thoughtfully curated exhibitions.
For more information, visit jackrutbergfinearts.com
