Marie Bashkirtseff In the Studio, 1881

Marie Bashkirtseff In the Studio, 1881

People across the globe, including the most skeptic scientists and artists, agree that art is the universal language of the world. Arts elicits emotions and can be used to identify important aspects of culture. Art has been used to express victory in war, such as the Stela of Naram-Sin of the Akkadian Empire. It has been used in legal premises such as the weight of justice in the US Federal Court. Besides, it has also been used to express discontent, such as the many black fist graffiti writings across the US and in many European cities. No matter the scale or size, art defines who we are and identifies us with our culture. Art is an expression of emotion and a special definition of realism, space and time

In the Studio was created in 1881 by Marie Bashkirtseff. It is an oil on Canvas of the size 60 5/8 × 73 1/4 inches, which is approximately 154 × 186.1 cm. The art is located in Dnipropetrovsk Art Museum in Ukraine, Though it was drawn in Paris, France.  The canvas has black borders dictated by sharp, distinct edges that make it possible to place in a frame. However, framing would eliminate some parts of the picture due to the distinctive interconnection of the coloring of the picture to the size of the picture. However, the picture is a high-quality picture with a distinctive light balance that makes it unique from other art images of the same period.

In the Studio utilizes diagonal lines though the artists restrict herself from excessive use of curves. Looking at the wall painting where the art frame is attached to the wall, the painting strokes are visible, aligning themselves diagonally. However, she further incorporates curves using strict lines to expound on emotions as clearly visible on the standing African woman in black.  Most of the shapes are irregular, starting from an invisible point. The use of irregular shapes allows her to define the central aspects of the photograph. Marie uses the tone to create an illusion of realism and form. One can easily identify with another despite the simplistic differences. She uses a visual texture to create a sore and smooth surface. However, there are no visibly identifiable patterns.

In the Studio is a picture of Marie Magdeleine Real del Sarte learning art at the Académie Julian in Paris. Standing on the board is a child whom the other students are using as the item for the picture. Standing Marie Magdeleine Real del Sarte are her two maids, one who is dark-skinned in color and the other Caucasian. They are dressed in black dresses with a white-collar. The floor is wooden, and the wall is plastered with a color mixture of light gray and dark gray side by side. There are other clusters of vibrant pictures on the wall above the Gray wall. Besides Marie, there numerous other students with painting canvases listening in on the instructor.

In the Studio is a representation of the social cruelty of being a woman in the 80s where education was a luxury and not a right. Considering the structure of the class, which has no wall, it can be concluded that the studying continued without the authority from relevant persons. Thus, the picture is a showcase of firm resolve amid oppression. This austerity forms the basis of the importance of this canvas on oil image.