Modern portrait with the custom oil paintings of Gerda Wegener

Growing up in the Danish countryside, Gerda Marie Fredrikke Gottlieb moved to Paris to experience the effervescence of the Roaring Twenties. This Scandinavian illustrator and portraitist fully embraced the cultural boiling of her time by establishing herself in the fashion and publishing worlds. Her sensual and bold art fits naturally into the Art Deco movement, reflecting the evolution of morals and the newfound freedom of a rapidly transforming society.

The portraitist's graphic style stands out with a fluid, elegant, and resolutely theatrical line. She masters the art of the arabesque and the curve, painting female figures with elongated silhouettes and mischievous gazes, often bathed in soft light. Her favorite model, immortalized in numerous works such as the “Portrait of Lili Elbe” or “Lili”, brings a singular dimension to her work exploring gender identity. She integrates refined decorative motifs and a vibrant palette, dominated by pastels, powdery tones, and bright bursts, reflecting the festive atmospheres visible in “Ballerina Ulla Poulsen”.

Her influence in the field of fashion illustration and social portraiture is today reassessed at its true value. She is often considered an avant-garde figure of Art Deco, having successfully captured with finesse the spirit of emancipation of the interwar period.

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