Born in Sussex, Eardley studied at Goldsmiths’ College, London and at Glasgow School of Art. She was deeply affected by the life and atmosphere of Glasgow, concentrating her work on street life. She divided her time between Glasgow and the fishing village of Catterline, south of Aberdeen, where in her later years her favourite subjects were the village and the sea, especially in stormy weather. This self-portrait was painted by Eardley during her final year at Glasgow School of Art. It is thought that she intended this portrait to resemble fresco painting, reflecting her interest in early Italian Renaissance artists such as Masaccio and Piero della Francesca.