This portrait is based on the French aviatrix Maryse Hilsz. She accomplished many high attitude and endurance flights during her career. Hilsz had a reputation for being calm under pressure and took her first inaugural flight from France to Saigon in 1930. She continued to explore the Far East and Africa throughout her flying career. Also, served with the French Resistance during World War Two. Hilsz was killed in a crash alongside three other male aviators in 1946.