In Part One we explored Sada’s childhood; how at the age of four she was sent to a geisha house, where she was later adopted by the proprietress and trained to be a geisha. We then explored Sada’s rise as one of the most famous geisha of Tokyo, her relationship with Prime Minister Ito, and her eventual marriage to kabuki star Otojiro Kawakami. In Part Two we finish Sada's story and honor Sada as the remarkable woman she was. From her days as a famous geisha who caught the attention of Japan’s most powerful men, to her breakout as a performer in America and later in Europe where she became a superstar, to her fight to open new avenues of opportunity for women in Japan, and finally, to her decision follow her heart and love the man she desired despite societal scorn, Sada chose to live her life both fiercely and freely and was unafraid to dance to the beat of her own drum.

This episode explores the life of the Japanese geisha, actress, dancer, and fashion icon Sada Yacco. When she first arrived in Paris at the turn of the twentieth century, she sent the entire city abuzz with excitement. Appearing like an apparition from a fantastical dream, she introduced Western audiences to Japanese theater and culture, eventually becoming Japan’s first international female celebrity. Picasso immortalized her on paper, Alfredo Müller printed her on poster, and Guerlain released a perfume inspired by her. Though her time abroad was short, she dazzled the entire western world, and left an indelible impression everywhere she went. When she eventually returned to Japan, she sought to open new avenues of opportunity for Japanese women, founding the country’s first school for female actresses. Over the course of her fruitful career, she transcended cultural boundaries, challenged societal norms, and captured the heart of both the East and West.

We are sharing a special episode from our friends at the podcast History Daily, which releases daily episodes on interesting historical events that happened on that day. In this episode, host Lindsay Graham discusses Betty Friedan’s seminal work "The Feminist Mystique", published on February 19th, 1963. "The Feminist Mystique", which spoke to widespread discontent amongst American women confined to the domestic sphere, kickstarted the second-wave feminist movement. After conducting her own extensive interviews and research, Friedan expressed the frustration and restlessness many American women were secretly harboring inside. In doing so, Friedan advocated for women’s inherent right to pursue a life and career of their own, and not be limited to domesticity. "The Feminist Mystique" inspired women across the country to go back to school, return to the work force, and find value in their lives outside of being wives and mothers. Friedan deserves to be honored as an important figure of American history, whose work continues to positively impact women today.

In Part One we explored Charlotte’s childhood; her father’s abandonment, the family’s subsequent descent into poverty, and Charlotte’s early ambitions to become a singer. We then explored Charlotte’s breakout performance as Lady Macbeth, her subsequent success in New New York City, Albany, and Philadelphia, and her decision to move to London to further her career. In Part Two we finish Charlotte's story and aim to honor her as the incredible actress she was, who dazzled audiences across the Western world with her impeccable performances, mastered both female and male parts, and played such a convincing Romeo that women frequently fell in love with her, as a brazen and forward-thinking woman who managed her own career, advocating for herself to ensure that she was paid the same rate as her male counterparts, as a passionate lover who openly engaged in same sex relationships in a time when they were harshly condemned, as a fierce feminist who supported women’s rights and female artists, and as a lionhearted woman who faced adversity head on and dared to live her life with authenticity and fervor.

Listen to ArtMuse's episode on the revolutionary actress, proud lesbian, savvy business woman, staunch feminist, and force to be reckoned with, Charlotte Cushman. Though Charlotte Cushman was one of the most famous actresses of the 19th century and a household name during her lifetime, she has since been unfairly written out of history. Charlotte deserves to be recognized not only for her impressive career on the stage, but as a remarkable woman in her own right. In this episode, we aim to honor Charlotte as the talented performer she was who mastered both female and male roles, as a savvy business woman who managed her own career, as the ultimate ladies (wo)man unafraid to flaunt her latest female lover at a time when same-sex relationships were strictly condemned, as an early feminist who used her influence to promote the work of female artists, and as a fearless woman who went against the grain in nearly every facet of society, unafraid to break social convention to live her life with authenticity and freedom.

Today we are sharing a special episode from our friends at Vulgar History, a podcast that looks at history through a feminist lens. In this episode, host Ann Foster introduces us to Mary Queen of Scots, Queen of Scotland from 1542 to 1567. Mary became Queen when she was only six days old and had one of the most tumultuous political reins in history, and her life story is certainly a wild ride. She was married three times, briefly became the Queen of France, became the enemy of Queen Elizabeth I, forced to abdicate the throne in 1567, was imprisoned in England shortly after for nineteen years, and was eventually executed on February 8th, 1587 after being convicted of treason. As such a notorious figure of history, Mary Queen of Scots was portrayed across the mediums. In fact, it’s believed she sat for well over one hundred fifty portraits during her lifetime. We hope to have a full ArtMuse episode on Mary Queen of Scots one day.

ArtMuse shares a special episode from “The Stars of the Golden Age”, a podcast that dives into the lives of your favorite Old Hollywood stars. In this episode, host Erin Carlson shares the incredible life story of the actress, fashion icon, and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn. From Audrey’s beginnings in Belgium, to her work with the resistance in World War II, to her discovery by director William Wyler who cast her in Roman Holiday and catapulted her into stardom, and finally, to her incredible work as a humanitarian in her later age, Audrey’s life-story is nothing short of remarkable. Audrey Hepburn was photographed by some of the most iconic photographers of the 20th century, such as Cecil Beaton, Richard Avedon, and Philippe Halsman. And of course, pop artist Andy Warhol created a series of portraits of Audrey, which reproduced her famous image from Breakfast at Tiffany’s onto various high contrast backgrounds. Audrey Hepburn fits in perfectly with Season Three of ArtMuse, which focuses on artist models who were performers in their own right.

In Part Two we shared the harrowing details of White’s assault on Evelyn, taking not only her virginity but also her childhood innocence and joy of life. We then explored Evelyn’s introduction to multi-millionaire Harry Thaw, how he slowly earned Evelyn’s trust, and then proceeded to violently both physically and sexually assault her. In Part Three we finish Evelyn's shocking story, including the murder of Stanford White and the subsequent trial that followed. Evelyn was so much more than the scandal that beset her life, and deserves to be remembered as the remarkably resilient woman she was. In this episode, we aim to honor Evelyn as the bewitching beauty who caught the attention of the best artists of both Philadelphia and New York, who at only sixteen years old took the Big Apple by storm and became the “it girl” of the Gilded Age, who translated her talent onto the stage and became an accomplished performer, who later became a loving and devoted mother, and a woman with an unbreakable vitality, despite White, Thaw, and the world’s best efforts to dim her light.

In Part One we explored Evelyn’s childhood, her chance discovery by an artist in Philadelphia, her rise in popularity as an artist’s model, her move to New York City, and how quickly she took the city by storm, becoming Gotham’s “it girl”. We then explored Evelyn’s beginnings on Broadway, how she caught the attention of famed architect Stanford White, and his ensuing calculated grooming of Evelyn. In Part two we continue Evelyn's shocking story; White's brutal assault on her, her romantic affair with actor John Barrymore, and meeting Pittsburgh millionaire Harry Thaw, whom she would eventually marry. Evelyn's story will keep you on the edge of your seat and is so important to share. We will finish Evelyn's story and honor her important legacy in Part Three of this episode.

Listen to ArtMuse’s Two Part Episode on the artist’s model, chorus girl, actress, and bewitching beauty, Evelyn Nesbit, who was caught up in one of the most notorious murders in American history.