I paid a whopping $12 for the pair. There was just something I liked about them.
I have this one hanging in my art room (maybe I’ll start calling it my “studio” to give me more legitimacy as an AR_TIST, LOL). With all the vintage collage I’ve been doing I wondered if I could find them online in a format I could use. The artist name, Gerda Wegener, was easy to find and sure enough – there they were, with dozens more of her work.
It felt like I hit the jackpot finding all these lovely new images. Actually, if you Google Costume Parisiens you will find all sorts of wonderful pictures.
Ms. Wegener is also an interesting character. A little bit of background from Wikipedia: Originally from the provinces and the daughter of a clergyman, she moved to Copenhagen to pursue her education at the Royal Art Academy, and married fellow artist Einar Wegener (1882–1931) in 1904. After moving to Paris in 1912, she found much success both as a painter and illustrating for Vogue, La Vie Parisienne, Fantasio, and many other magazines. As she found fame in Paris, Gerda also developed a following in her home country. She held exhibitions at Ole Haslunds gallery in Copenhagen at regular intervals. Her career relied on a phenomenal talent but perhaps even more so on her notorious diligence, and the advantages her unusual marriage brought her. (Warning – if you do Google Ms. Wegener you will also find some of her more “erotic” works of art – just letting you know.)
And by the way, those two prints. Well based on the little research I did I think I did very well for my small investment. Apparently they are probably worth a bit more – where is Antiques Road Show when I need them! Still not enough to retire though…. Enjoy, Jewels.
P.S. Note to my Collage Class friends – this is the result of my current addiction – it once was my Dining Room table – how about you?
What an interesting post, Jewels! These are gorgeous prints and I like the history behind them. Your picture of your dining room table made me laugh - it's a form of madness isn't it?!
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Jewels, I love your dining room table!! It looks quite like the big table I have in my art room. In fact, I had to pick up a whole stack of stuff and move it, just so I could photograph a couple of mail art envelopes that were too big for the scanner. (sigh). It is a good addiction though, I think!
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Oh boy, you are hooked. You will need an addition on the studio. lol They are very pretty prints. Enjoy them. Carol said that the cast is off!!! Hurray.
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