I'm Not Your Muse: Uncovering the Overshadowed Brilliance of Women Artists & Visionaries

An illuminating exploration of 31 incredible women--across art, architecture, dance, literature, and more--whose culture-defining contributions have, until now, been overshadowed by their role as "muses" to history's better-known men.

What does it mean to be someone's "muse"? Historically, to be called a "muse" among artistic circles has been marketed as a flattering title. It is a commendation that most often refers to a woman whose vivacity and beauty are the source of inspiration for a (usually) male artist or creator. Perhaps her inspiring presence is even credited in the story of his success. But the very concept of a muse underestimates these women and their abilities. At its root, muse is a support role, the title a consolation prize that claims to recognize a woman's greatness--but only in her support of another.

I'm Not Your Muse reclaims the narrative of 31 of these extraordinary women, from "The Mother of the Movies" Alice Guy-Blaché to Modernist designer Eileen Gray, prima ballerina Maria Tallchief, storied Harlem Renaissance editor Jessie Redmon Fauset, and many more. Each of these women advanced the narrative of culture and society, pushing the boundaries of visual arts, dance and movement, commercial architecture, music, journalism, and the performing arts. Whether by historical accident or cruel design, their contributions have historically been overshadowed by those of their male counterparts, and often collaborators.

In this briskly written, incisively researched compendium, author and researcher Lori Zimmer repositions these women as the main characters of their own lives. Each profile is accented with original illustrations--including jaunty portraits in playfully constructed frames--by artist Maria Krasinski. Together, they highlight the contemporary accomplishments and historical legacies of a wide-ranging group of revolutionary women.

Featured women include:

• Louise Blanchard Bethune
• Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore
• Minnette de Silva
• Clara Driscoll
• Jessie Redmon Fauset
• Loie Fuller
• Martha Gellhorn
• Eileen Gray
• Belle da Costa Greene
• Alice Guy-Blaché
• Miss La La
• Edmonia Lewis
• Neysa McMein
• Hildreth Meière
• Lucia Moholy
• May and Jane Morris
• Na Hye-Sŏk
• Fernande Olivier
• Pan Yuliang
• Ethel Reed
• Clara Rockmore
• Ada Bricktop Smith
• Maria Tallchief
• Alice B. Toklas
• Suzanne Valadon
• Baroness Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven
• Leonora Carrington
• Remedios Varo
• Kati Horna

Author: Lori Zimmer
Publisher: Running Press Adult
Published: 02/25/2025
Pages: 200
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.65lbs
Size: 8.10h x 8.20w x 0.80d
ISBN: 9780762485383


Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 01/01/2025 pg. 68
Kirkus Reviews 03/15/2025

About the Author
Lori Zimmer is a New York-based author, curator, and amateur historian. She is the author of five books: Art Hiding in Paris: An Illustrated Guide to the City of Light (Running Press, 2022), Art Hiding in New York: An Illustrated Guide to the City's Secret Masterpieces (Running Press, 2020), Logan Hicks: Still New York (Workhorse Press, 2022), The Art of Spray Paint (Rockport, 2017), and The Art of Cardboard (Rockport, 2015). Zimmer is passionate about travel, food, and artists' rights- she consults as an artist liaison in copyright infringement cases for Kushnirsky Gerber PLLC.

Maria Krasinski is an illustrator, designer, and aspiring accordionist. She's worked in public diplomacy, media literacy, and arts education in Chicago, Paris, Tbilisi, and Washington, D.C. Recently, she came in second place on Jeopardy!, where she answered a French art history clue wrong.