Das Bild Eine Mädchen Brigette Bergman 1920

Gerda Wegener painted this portrait of a woman named Brigette Bergman, probably with watercolor. Look how Wegener suggests form through these washy layers. It's like she's inviting us to witness the painting coming into being. The cool thing about watercolor is how it stains the paper and soaks in. There's no way to separate the color from the surface, and Wegener really leans into this in the ruffles of the white dress. The eye is drawn to the subtle shifts of tone, which create a sense of depth and movement, like a dance across the surface. It's delicate and ethereal. I think of other artists who explored similar themes of identity and representation in their work, like Tamara de Lempicka. Ultimately, Wegener leaves room for interpretation. The fluidity of the medium and the subject invites us to bring our own perspectives and experiences to the piece, making it a collaborative act of seeing.