Behind this Beaux-Arts exterior is the world's only major museum devoted exclusively to the works of women artists. The 2,700-piece permanent collection includes works from the 16C to the present, covering every medium from native American pottery to abstract sculpture. The earliest works in the permanent collection come from the 16C. The oldest work is by an Italian painter from Bologna, Lavinia Fontana, who is considered the first professional woman artist. The 20C galleries feature works by such well-known artists as Frida Kahlo, Elaine de Kooning and Nancy Graves.