My Portrait (Self-Portrait in the Green Bugatti) 1929

‘Among a hundred paintings, you could always recognise mine.’ – Tamara de Lempicka Tamara de Lempicka’s Self-Portrait in the Green Bugatti (1929) exudes feminine confidence. Born in Warsaw in 1898, the artist is known for her art deco style that captures the glamour of 1920s high society. Lempicka often hosted dinner parties in her Parisian flat, bringing together the most prominent figures of the European avant-garde. 🏙️ Lempicka’s Self-Portrait (1929) depicts the artist at the wheel of a green Bugatti, a high-performance car with a luxury reputation. This image of luxury is further suggested by Lempicka’s sleek outfit, which consists of a fitted helmet, draped silk scarf, and leather driving gloves. 🚗 The framing of Self-Portrait in the Green Bugatti is strikingly unusual. Lempicka has cropped the composition to include only a small portion of the car. This creates a heightened focus on Lempicka herself as the subject of the painting. She directly meets the viewer’s gaze, suggesting her self-confidence and boldness. The artist has painted the scene at a slightly raised angle, which allows for a sleek geometry. This self-portrait was commissioned by Die Dame, the first women’s magazine in Germany. Die Dame often featured successful career-driven women from the upper classes. It was a notably expensive magazine that was incredibly popular amongst the fashionable upper-middle classes. This commissioned painting depicts Lempicka alone and in control of the powerful car, building an impression of chic independence. This challenges traditional gender roles and heralds a future of further liberation. The vibrant green of the car’s exterior, highlighted with smooth streaks of white paint, indicates growth and an optimism for the future. 🌱 The bold extravagance of Tamara de Lempicka’s style is immediately identifiable. A retrospective for the artist will be held at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, from 9th March to 26th May 2025. What do you think of her fashionable paintings? 💬👇 Editor: Lucy Jude Grantham #