Europe on the Bull 

Editor: We're looking at "Europe on the Bull" by Gerda Wegener, done with watercolor and colored pencil. It’s dreamy and unsettling at the same time. The women seem to exist in a different realm than the bull, a divide echoed in their differing expressions. What's your take? Curator: This piece, referencing the myth of Europa, speaks volumes about gender, power, and colonialism through a queer lens. Wegener, herself a pioneer in challenging gender norms, reclaims the narrative. Do you notice how the women both embrace and perhaps question Europa's abduction? Editor: I see some women reaching towards Europa, but I wasn’t sure if they were trying to help or hold her back! Curator: Exactly. Wegener subverts the traditional male gaze and inserts female agency. The landscape, rather than being a passive backdrop, becomes an active participant. Are those crashing waves or turbulent feelings? The bull, often a symbol of virility and dominance, is almost docile here, adorned with flowers. What does that tell you? Editor: Maybe that power isn’t always about force? Curator: Precisely! Wegener challenges our preconceived notions of power structures, hinting at a subtle yet forceful feminine strength that redefines the narrative of Europa. Think about how her personal experiences might be informing this work. Editor: I hadn't considered how Wegener's own life could be woven into the story! Thanks; that gives me a lot to think about regarding power, gender, and identity in the artwork. Curator: And how myth can be used to expose modern issues. It has been my pleasure!