Scène De Carnaval 

Gerda Wegener made this watercolor painting, Scène De Carnaval, using thin washes of color on paper. Wegener's application of watercolor enhances the ethereal nature of the Carnival scene. The way that watercolor sits on the surface of the paper is essential here. The figures seem to dissolve into each other, with the translucence of the pigment capturing the fluidity and ambiguity of identity that carnivals are known for. The slight running of colors and hazy composition may be intentional. In the early 20th century when this was painted, watercolor was used for fashion illustration. This painting challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and illustration. Ultimately, Wegener shows that the choice of materials and techniques contribute to the painting's thematic expression, elevating what might be considered a minor medium into a profound artistic statement.