Famous Women

 See It On A Postcard's Thursday Postcard Hunt in search of famous women..

Bridget Riley, part of the zeitgeist of the 1960s, born in 1931 and still painting. Her mesmerising optical illusions in black and white were part of the Op Art movement. She became the first female winner of the International paintings prize at the 1968 Venice Biennale. 

Her long fascination with Seurat's 'Bathers at  Asnieres' and a visit to Egypt in 1979 where she experienced its light and contrast  of colours  together with the use of colour in Egyptian hieroglyphs inspired her to use colour in her paintings which she found less predictable than black and white.

The photo is one of series taken by Ida Kar in 1963, who was known for her many black and white portraits of artists and writers.

Maggie Gripenberg (1881-1976) well wrapped up  the against the coastal breeze and although seen here painting she was a dancer, choreographer and teacher. A pioneer of modern dance she also introduced eurhythmics to Finland.