The current strength of the contemporary art market has drastically raised the price for works by female artists.  Nine of the top ten prices for women painters has been set in the last five years, including a new top record for Berthe Morisot’s After Lunch.  “Whereas before we looked at female artists as the land of opportunity, with prices like these, collectors say the window is closing for gender-specificity bargain buying,” said Gabriela Palmieri, a senior vice president and contemporary-art specialist at Sotheby’s.