Sofia Kovalevskaya was a brilliant Russian mathematician who made significant contributions to analysis, partial differential equations, and mechanics. She was a true pioneer for women in mathematics, becoming the first woman to earn a doctorate in mathematics in the modern sense, the first woman appointed to a full professorship in northern Europe, and one of the first women to work as an editor for a scientific journal. According to science historian Ann Hibner Koblitz, Kovalevskaya was "the greatest known woman scientist before the twentieth century."
Over 150 years ago, female mathematicians were extremely rare. Sofia was drawn to science from an early age, and her strong desire for knowledge pushed her to overcome enormous obstacles. It was her fearless spirit and determination that enabled her to become a world-renowned and respected mathematician.
I chose this particular portrait of Sofia Kovalevskaya, which was later made into a commemorative stamp in 1951. Her beautiful profile shines with quiet strength. I placed her portrait among mathematical symbols, representing the world she loved and contributed so deeply to. The background is filled with mathematical subjects—symbols that seem abstract and distant to me, but which likely filled her brilliant mind with clarity and inspiration.
I used black and white to reflect the historical context of the photo, and to symbolize the pure, rational world of mathematics. At the same time, I added subtle blocks of color in the background, each one corresponding to a different mathematical formula. These colors represent the liveliness, mystery, and joy that also exist in mathematics—the surprises, unknowns, and continuous transformations. In her eyes, the complex and profound nature of math was full of life and excitement.
So in creating this piece, I tried my best to portray the color and vitality that bloomed in Sofia Kovalevskaya’s short but extraordinary life. Her incredible work and legacy are reflected in the strength of her gaze. It is her determination and courage that continue to earn our admiration and respect. She is a woman who truly radiated the power of elegance.
