Woman with Green Eyes and Red Lips 

Gerda Wegener sketched "Woman with Green Eyes and Red Lips," during a time of immense social change in Europe. Wegener, who lived from 1886 to 1940, positioned herself at the intersection of art, gender, and sexuality, producing artworks that often challenged the conventions of her time. The portrait embodies the period’s shifting ideals of beauty and femininity. The model’s refined features, combined with her bold makeup, reflect the evolving image of the modern woman. Wegener’s work often explored themes of identity and performance, largely influenced by her relationship with her spouse, Lili Elbe, one of the first people to undergo gender confirmation surgery. The sketch invites us to consider how gender and identity are not fixed, but rather fluid concepts. As you view "Woman with Green Eyes and Red Lips," consider Wegener's personal journey and the ways in which her art provided a space for exploring the complexities of identity during a transformative era.