Gerda Wegener

Danish, 20th Century

Gerda Wegener was born on March 15 in 1885 or 1889 in Copenhagen. Her family emigrated from France to Denmark in the 18th century; she married the painter Einar Wegener. She studied at the Kunstakademi in Copenhagen and then traveled to Italy, England, and France. In 1912, Wegener settled in Paris, where she led a glittering social life.

Wegener painted portraits of her circle, reflecting the sophistication of Parisian society of the 1930s. She collaborated on publications such as La Vie Parisienne, Fantasio, Le Rire, and La Baionnette. She also illustrated Contes de mon Pere le Jars (Stories of my father, the Gander) and Sur Talons Rouges (On Red Heels) by Eric Allantini along with many other popular published Tales of the time.

Wegener exhibited at the Salon d’Automne, the Salon des Indépendents and the Salon des Humoristes.

Wegener died in July 1940 in Frederiksberg.

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