Artwork
Self-Portrait in a Spanish Costume
Self-Portrait in a Spanish Costume is a print by the Impressionist artist Marie Bracquemond. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
She was one of the few women in the Impressionist circle, but she didn’t get much attention at the time.
A woman in a black dress with red trim looks straight at you, holding a fan. The background is plain, so your eyes stay on her face and the details of her clothes.
Marie Bracquemond painted this self-portrait in 1880. She was one of the few women in the Impressionist circle, but she didn’t get much attention at the time. This painting shows her in a Spanish-style outfit, which was trendy in France then. It’s a quiet way of saying, “I’m here, and I’m part of this world too.”
If you like this, look up the technique impasto—thick paint that makes brushstrokes stand out.
Overview
This print, Self-Portrait in a Spanish Costume, is one of a small body of etchings by Marie Bracquemond, a relatively under-recognized figure within the Impressionist circle.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts the artist herself in fashionable attire, holding a fan, conveying a sense of presence and participation in the contemporary cultural scene.
Technique & Style
Executed in etching, a medium likely learned from her husband Félix Bracquemond, the print showcases Marie Bracquemond's skill in capturing detail, particularly in the subject's clothing.
History & Provenance
Created in 1880, the print reflects the artist's engagement with the Impressionist network, which she accessed through her husband's friendships with artists like Claude Monet and Edgar Degas.
Context
The Spanish-style costume worn by the subject was a fashionable trend in France at the time, indicating the artist's awareness and adoption of contemporary styles.
Artist & collection
Artist
Marie Anne Caroline Bracquemond (French pronunciation: ; née Quivoron; 1 December 1840 – 17 January 1916) was a French Impressionist artist.
