A LIBRO CERRADO

Christa Zaat

Bertha Wegmann (Danish painter) 1847 - 1926
Pondering The Scriptures, s.d.
oil on canvas
22 x 27 in.
Hope Gallery, United States of America

Bertha Wegmann was educated with her fathers support first in Copenhagen, then in Münich as a historical and genre painter. She started exhibiting her work in 1873 in Copenhagen, where 10 years later she was the first woman to become a member of the of Royal Academy Council. She participated in her times biggest exhibits and represented Denmark in many world exhibits.
In the beginning Bertha Wegmann painted storytelling figure paintings, preferably with a sentimental point, but also quite a few landscapes, particularly the mountains of Tyrol, and later some from the scenic Baltic coastal areas. Just as many of her associates, Wegmann became fascinated by the French modern movement, and from 1881 she more or less lived in Paris, where she made a name for herself at the Paris Salon.
In 1881 she won the Gold Medal at the Paris Salon. Wegmann strongly established herself as a portrait painter and has to be counted as among the very best of her time, but also as one of the best historical and genre painters of her time. Her popularity continues to grow still.