The 28th edition of Paris Photo, which closed November 16, saw a surge in representation of women photographers, rising to 39 percent of artists on view from 20 percent in 2018. This shift is driven by the fair's Elles program, launched with France's ministry of culture, and a broader market appetite for rediscovered women artists. Notable sales included works by Ming Smith, whose vintage prints sold for up to €60,000 at M77 gallery, and offerings from Les Filles du Calvaire featuring Helena Almeida and Katalin Ladik. Richard Saltoun gallery returned after six years with a booth focused on women photographers.
This matters because the photography sector is seen as the last undervalued segment of the art market, with women photographers' work priced far below that of male counterparts. Institutional pressure to diversify collections and collector interest in overlooked talent are driving demand, as evidenced by rising auction records—Ming Smith's top price jumped from $2,000 in 2015 to $21,590 in 2023. The trend highlights a systemic correction in both market valuation and museum representation, with women artists gaining long-overdue recognition and financial reward.