Au Café 1925

Gerda Wegener’s "Au Café" captures a vibrant café scene, with the cigarette emerging as a dominant symbol of modernity, leisure, and a certain nonchalant attitude. Consider the cigarette, a slender object held delicately between fingers, exhaling smoke that curls and dissipates—a fleeting pleasure, a modern ritual. We see the cigarette held similarly in other artworks, across time, from the 19th century to the present, each time reflecting the changing societal norms and personal expressions. Note how the act of smoking itself becomes a signifier of freedom and rebellion, particularly for women during this period. The very act of a woman smoking challenges traditional roles, suggesting a newfound independence and a break from conventional expectations. The cigarette's presence invokes collective memories and subconscious associations—a symbol that has recurred, evolved, and taken on new meanings throughout history.