Gerda and Lily, LGBT Power Couple



In 1904 Gerda Gottlieb met fellow artist Einar Magnus Andreas Wegener at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. They married at the ages of 19 and 22 years old. Einar would later become globally known as Lili Elbe.

Artists in Paris



Gerda graduated in 1907, and the couple set out to travel Europe, eventually settling in Paris. She hoped that there would be artistic opportunities for her in the world of fashion. Gerda’s work was shown at several exhibitions and she made a living creating posters.

Along with her partner Gerda soon became well acquainted with the dancers, intellectuals, fellow artists and bohemians in Paris. It was at this time that Einar began to present as Lili. Like Gerda, she had also worked as an illustrator and had been a successful landscape painter.

A secret relationship



Gerda often used Lili as model. Her viewers admired the colorful paintings without knowing the story behind her most favoured new muse.



They had a strong bond both on a personal and artistic level. The couple continued their close relationship for many years, often explaining Lily as a cousin of Gerda’s.



Gender reassingment



In 1930 Lili became one of the first people to undergo gender reassignment surgery. She was celebrated as a pioneering transexual.Sadly, due to complications from experimental surgery, Lili died.

Lily Elbe’s autobiography was published posthumously in 1933. The story of Gerda and Lili recenty inspired the film ‘The Danish Girl’. Gerda’s work has also been praised for her bold depictions of independent women, including lesbian erotica, created from the female rather than typically male gaze.



Read more on the Women’s art Blog



Lily Elbe’s autobiography

Gerda Wegener’s art