Self Portrait with Palette 1880

This is Marie Bashkirtseff’s Self-Portrait with Palette, painted in the late 19th century. During this time, women artists navigated a male-dominated art world, challenging traditional gender roles. Marie, who tragically died at 25, captures herself with a direct gaze. Her severe dark jacket and ruffled white shirt assert her presence and profession, holding a paint-covered palette which symbolizes her artistic identity. Bashkirtseff, who wrote extensively, once said "I love myself; I am my heroine". Through the act of self-portraiture, Marie actively constructs her own image, defying societal expectations and stereotypes placed upon women. Consider how Marie portrays herself—not as a passive muse, but as an active creator. The portrait resonates with a sense of determination. It is a personal statement and a testament to her ambition.