Portuguese painter Paula Rego reminds me that women’s stories feel different when told by women.

It’s the same feeling I get when comparing Caravaggio’s and Artemisia Gentileschi’s Judith Beheading Holofernes. Same subject, different emotional weight.

As a woman, there’s something instantly recognizable in the way female artists portray women. It is not just as subjects, but as people with anger, fear, desire, and strength.

Seeing Paula Rego at the Munch Museum felt especially meaningful. The contrast between Munch’s emotional work and Rego’s storytelling created a powerful connection. A thoughtful and moving exhibition.