The Meeting 1884

Marie Bashkirtseff painted "The Meeting" in France during the 1880s, capturing a seemingly candid moment among working-class children in an urban setting. But is it really candid? The painting is full of artifice. Although it echoes the Realist focus on everyday life, Bashkirtseff may be making a point about how social class determines one’s experience. These children, with their worn clothes and unkempt appearances, were not typically subjects worthy of artistic attention. Bashkirtseff was born into a wealthy family and studied art at the Académie Julian, one of the few Parisian art schools that accepted women. Her training is evident here. The painting reflects the growing representation of modern life in art, but also her own class position as a woman. By exploring the social and institutional context in which an artwork was made we are better equipped to understand its complexity. Accessing letters, diaries, and exhibition reviews will help us decode the possible meanings embedded within it.