Marie-Jeanne Lamartinierre (Haitian Revolution, 1802), Ulrick Jean-Pierre

Jean-Pierre’s painting of Marie-Jeanne Lamartinierre is a prime example of the way he positions women at the center of Haitian culture and inserts them into Haitian historical narratives—especially those related to resistance and evolution, which tend to exclusively portray men. Lamartinierre is one of the few named female soldiers in the Haitian Revolution, fighting in the Battle of Crête-à-Pierrot in 1802 and the Battles of Vertières in 1803. Her bravery and courage are said to have earned the deep respect of her male compatriots. Historical documents state that she fought in a man’s uniform, but in this portrait Jean-Pierre depicts an unapologetically feminine and fiercely defiant Lamartinierre, her eyes fearless, her arms strong and powerful holding her sword.