In archaic times, ancient Greek artists preferred depicting monsters and creatures, including centaurs. Centaurs were portrayed as a tribe of fierce half-human,
half-horse beings. 

However, during the classical period, a shift in interests happened.

Artists began to prefer psychological interpretation. People began to think differently about centaurs, raising questions about how they came into existence, what their childhood was like, and so on.

This led to the creation of the image of the female centaur!