A woman's self-portrait is treated in the study not only as a work of art, but also as a valuable evidence of the Polish women artists' awareness. Relationships between their creative ambitions and the possibility of realization - drastically limited by the habitual and artistic conventions of the subsequent epochs - prompted some talented ladies into attempts of omitting bans and gaining more creative powers. Not many literary woman self-portraits at the end of 19th century are found; they could be interestingly examined together with paintings which they successfully complement. In the study women self-portrayers are presented, starting from the 12th century female scribes to rebellious women of the end of 20th century. The changes of customs were accompanied by the chances of stylistic conventions, both in prose and in poetry, which reflected the image they were to express. Reading the language of self-portrait and reconstruction of the message directed to the receivers becomes a fascinating enterprise.
