This essay accounts for the lives of atist couple Carolina Benedicks Bruce (1856-1935) and William Blair Bruce (1859-1906). The perspective emerges from both Griselda Pollock’s theories on female artists as from Yvonne Hirdman’s gender contract. The essay is made out in the form of a biography, with focus on aspects of gender roles, class and identity. The material consists of letters written by the couple and their families, as well as Carolina’s diaries.    Carolina Benedicks Bruce was born into the wealthy Benedicks family  from Stockholm and Gysinge. At Grez she met William Blair Bruce in 1885. William was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and was sent to France by his family for artistic education in his twenties. They built a home together at Gotland; Brucebo. They conducted themselves liberally to the current norms of gender roles, class and identity aspects of the time. They created their own path, to be able to do what they were passionate about.