Critics and the public adored Marie-Guillemine Benoist's Portrait Of A Negress when originally shown because of its unique subject. The subject, a black woman, is shown with draped fabrics to cover herself yet leaves her breast exposed. Despite the more plain background, the chair and accessories, such as her earrings, indicate a somewhat wealthy setting.

The praise also came because the painter was a woman, which was unusual for the time. When a painter (male) paints a black female, it is seen as a type of objectification. However, Benoist depicts a genuine relationship between the subject and painter because their bond over their gender and struggles because of it which in a way overrule their differences in race and wealth. This rare relationship probably derived from Benoist's opinions, which developed from her childhood as the daughter of a civil servant in Paris.

Benoist married a public supporter of royalist causes, creating problems with judgement from critics and the public. At the height of her popularity, she resigned to focus on advocating for women's rights especially during the rise of conservatism in Europe.

This painting reminds me of "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou. Every line applies, however most preeminent are "You may write me down in history with your bitter, twisted lies... Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes," "Does my sexiness upset you?...Still, I rise."