The Influence of Cultural Environment on the Feminist Views of Marie Bashkirtseff

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to examine the influence of cultural environments on the development of feminist views held by Marie Bashkirtseff, a prominent cultural figure of the 19th century. Methodology. The study employs the historical method to trace the evolution of Bashkirtseff’s reflections on women’s roles, purpose, and rights as documented in her diary. Additionally, the cultural studies approach enables the identification of correlations between the surrounding cultural milieu and the emergence of feminist ideas in her work. Scientific novelty. For the first time, this research explores the impact of Marie Bashkirtseff’s sociocultural context on the formation of her feminist worldview. Particular attention is given to the artistic practices of her family in Poltava during her childhood, the educational opportunities available in France, and the intellectual atmosphere of Paris. Conclusions. The author concludes that the cultural environment played a pivotal role in shaping Bashkirtseff’s personality and feminist outlook. Her early upbringing in Poltava provided both a fertile ground for intellectual development and a framework for rethinking traditional gender roles through familial experience. The further evolution of her feminist ideas was facilitated by educational access in France, notably her studies at the private Académie Julian. The rise of the French feminist movement in the 1870s–1880s fostered her active engagement with associations advocating gender equality in the context of women artists’ professional self-realisation. As a result of these intersecting sociocultural factors, Bashkirtseff made a significant contribution to the global feminist discourse.