Young Woman Riding a Centaur 

Gerda Wegener created this watercolor image of a woman riding a centaur, but we don't know exactly when. Wegener was a Danish artist working in Paris in the 1920s and 30s. Her work often depicted women in intimate settings, challenging the male gaze dominant in art history. In this image, the woman's confident pose subverts traditional gender roles. The centaur, a mythical creature often associated with male virility, is here guided by a female figure. The androgynous features of the centaur might also challenge conventional notions of masculinity. Wegener's personal life was unconventional for her time; she was married to Lili Elbe, one of the first known recipients of gender confirmation surgery. Her art reflects a progressive attitude toward gender and sexuality, aligning with the bohemian circles in which she moved. To fully appreciate Wegener's work, scholars delve into the history of gender representation, looking at visual culture and biographical details, to understand the context of her time.