Portrait of Three Sisters 1905 - 1915

Olga Boznanska painted 'Portrait of Three Sisters' at a time when women artists were fighting for recognition in a male-dominated art world. Born in Poland but working largely in France, Boznanska navigated the constraints and expectations placed on women, particularly in portraiture. This piece complicates typical portrait conventions by inviting us to consider sisterhood, identity, and the subtle dynamics of female relationships. The figures, all in white, merge into a soft, ethereal space, yet each maintains a distinct gaze. This challenges the stereotype of women as merely decorative objects, and explores the inner lives of her subjects. Boznanska once mentioned her portraits were less about outward appearance and more about capturing a person's soul. In these emotional spaces, Boznanska reflects on the intimate and intricate bonds that shape women's identities, revealing the complex layers of emotion and experience inherent in female relationships.