Transcription
Page 5
Et Liv gennem to Tilværeleser
- En Fortid som Mand og en Fremtid som Kvinde - Lili ElbeLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener
(1882), died in Dresden, 1931 fortœller om Maleren Einar WegnerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener;
died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 og sig selv.
(01) Paa den Udstilling af Kunstnerparret GerdaGerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator; married to Einar Wegener og Einar WegenersEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 Billeder, der er aabnet i Haslunds og HeymansHeyman and Haslund (fictional and historical), Svend Heyman (1878–1931), Ole who owned Ole Haslands Hus with Georg Haslund (1877–1962), where the Wegeners exhibited in Copenhagen HusOle Hasland Hus (historical), art gallery in Copenhagen where the Wegeners exhibited paa ØstergadeØstergade (historical), a street in the old town section of Copenhagen, hænger et Maleri, der bærer Titlen Karneval, og om hvilket Fru WegenerGerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator; married to Einar Wegener selv oplyser, at det, som saa mange andre af hendes Billeder, har LiliLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener (1882), died in Dresden, 1931 til Model.
(02) Ved et Besøg i Gaar paa Udstillingen træffer vi Modellen Fru LiliLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener
(1882), died in Dresden, 1931 selv, der
ukendt gaar rundt mellem de Besøgende,
“Karneval”, malet af Gerda WegenerGerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator;
married to Einar Wegener.
kun hilst med et venligt Smil
og Nik af Kunstnerparrets nære Venner, der allerede har kendt hende saa
længe, at de aldrig mere tænker over, hvem hun er eller rettere over hvem
hun var.
Einar WegenerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 maler aldrig mere.
(03) – Gerda WegenerGerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator; married to Einar Wegener har til flere Blade sagt, at Einar WegenerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 aldrig kommer til at male mere – vil De sige os Grunden? spørger vi Fru LiliLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener (1882), died in Dresden, 1931.
(04) – Ja, det vil jeg. Jeg er oven i Købet glad over, at De spørger mig, for jeg synes, at det er min Pligt over for hans kunstneriske Eftermæle at fortælle Sandheden.
Lili ElbeLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener (1882), died in Dresden, 1931, fotograferet paa FrauenklinikMunicipal Women's Clinic (fictional and historical) is the Staatliche Frauenklinik in Dresden, directed by Professor Kurt Warnekros from 1925 to 1948." i DresdenDresden (historical), city in Germany.
(05) Hans Eftermæle? Einar WegenerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 er da ikke død?
(06) – Nej, det er han ikke – men han eksisterer heller ikke mere, han har frivilligt udslettet sig selv for at give Plads for en anden, som han mente havde større Ret til at eksistere end ham selv, og denne anden – det er mig … Ja, jeg véd, at De og maaske mange med Dem vil have ondt ved at forstaa det, for mit Liv har formet sig ganske anderledes end andres, formet sig saaledes, at jeg i virkeligheden ikke lever et Liv, men har afsluttet en Tilværelse og nu er begyndt paa en hel anden Tilværelsesform. Men jeg skal forsøge paa at forklare Dem det.
Den lille Dreng med Dukkevognen.
(07) Fru LiliLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener (1882), died in Dresden, 1931 læner sig tilbage i en dyb Lænestol og sætter sine højhælede Sko paa en Skammel. Der kommer et drømmende Udtryk i hendes store mørke Øjne, medens hun fortæller om det lille Barn, der fødtes ovre i VejleVejle (historical), Einar Wegener’s birthplace in the Jutland region of Denmark og som af Præst og Jordemoder blev erklæret for en Dreng og indskrevet i Kirkebogen under Navnet Einar WegenerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931. Det var en meget køn lille Dreng, og da hans ModerAne Marie Wegener (historical), Einar Wegener’s mother holdt meget af at pynte ham, var der mange, som troede, at han var en lille Pige. Selv følte han sig som en Dreng, naar han legede med sine BrødreBrothers (fictional), modeled on Einar Wegener’s brothers, Holger (b. 1880) and Henrik, men hans bedste Fornøjelse var at køre med SøsterenSister (fictional), modeled on Einar Wegener’s sister, Christiane Thomsen (1881–1954)s Dukkevogn, vel at mærke, naar ingen saa det, for han hadede at blive drillet. Under hans Opvækst kunde det af og til strejfe hans Bevidsthed, at han ikke var helt som de andre, men i hans første Ungdom opslugtes alle hans Følelser af Begejstring for Oldtidens Kunst og Litteratur. Han vilde være Kunstner, og han tog til KøbenhavnCopenhagen (historical), capital of Denmark og kom ind paa AkademietThe Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (historical), founded in 1754 and located in the Charlottenborg Palace in Copenhagen, it is the premier academy of arts in Denmark, where the Wegeners both studied.. Her traf han den senere Gerda WegenerGerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator; married to Einar Wegener.
Venskab og Samarbejde.
(08) – EinarEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 og Gerda WegenerGerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator; married to Einar Wegener var ganske unge, da de giftede sig, fortæller Fru LiliLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener (1882), died in Dresden, 1931 videre, saa unge, at de maaske ikke rigtig vidste, hvad de gjorde. Men de har aldrig senere fortrudt det. Det Forhold, som alle andre ansaa for et Ægteskab, var bygget paa gensidig Forstaaelse, urokkeligt Venskab, inderlig Fortrolighed og Fællesfølelse i Arbejdet. Derfor har de aldrig svigtet hinanden og derfor vil de ogsaa i Fremtiden staa hinanden nær som to sande Veninder, der ønsker det bedste for hinanden og vil gøre alt for at hjælpe hinanden.
Gennem Kunsten til Sandhedens Erkendelse.
(09) – Gerda WegenerGerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator; married to Einar Wegener brugte ofte Einar WegenerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 til Model, og det var gennem hendes Opfattelse, gennem hendes Kunstnerinstinkt, der stedse stærkere betonede det kvindelige Element i hans Væsen, at han efterhaanden kom til den rette Erkendelsen af sit eget Selv … Nu kom der en Række Aar, der var saa fulde af Lidelser, at jeg helst ikke vil tænke paa dem. Einar WegenerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 følte sig som et Menneske, der tvinges til at gaa rundt i en Dragt, som snærer ham og hvori han føler sig latterlig. Til de moralske Lidelser kom ogsaa de fysiske, og forgæves søgte han Hjælp hos de franske Læger. Ingen vilde tro ham, de betragtede ham som hysterisk og behandlede ham med Røntgenstraaler, der som de senere viste sig skadede langt mere end det gavnede.
Videnskabens store Mirakel.
(10) – Ved et Tilfælde, fortsætter Fru LiliLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener
(1882), died in Dresden, 1931, kom
jeg saa, da jeg havde opgivet alt Haab om nogen Sinde at blive et normalt
følende og tænkende Menneske, i Forbindelse med en fremragende tysk
Videnskabsmand, den berømte Gynækolog, Prof. Kurt v. WarnekrosKurt Warnekros (1882–1949), a German gynecologist who performed all but the first
of four surgeries on Lili Elvenes; director of the Women’s Clinic in Dresden (Staatliche
Frauenklinik) from 1925 to 1948, Lederen af Staatliche FrauenklinikMunicipal Women's Clinic (fictional and historical) is the Staatliche Frauenklinik
in Dresden, directed by Professor Kurt Warnekros from 1925 to 1948." i DresdenDresden (historical), city in Germany. Han undersøgte mig, og fastslog, at jeg ikke –
saaledes som man havde villet gøre mig til, var en Mand, men i langt
overvejende Grad en Kvinde
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… Resultatet blev, at jeg paa hans Opfodring tog til
DresdenDresden (historical), city in Germany, hvor han paa sin
KlinikMunicipal Women's Clinic (fictional and historical) is the Staatliche Frauenklinik
in Dresden, directed by Professor Kurt Warnekros from 1925 to 1948." underkastede mig en
Række store og alvorlige Operationer – de første af den Art, som han nogen
Sinde havde foretaget … Det var maanedlange Lidelser, adskillige Gange var
jeg Døden nær, men Videnskaben og min egentlige Natur sejrede. Det var
Einar WegenerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener;
died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931, som kom ind paa
Kliniken, og det var den Dame, De nu taler med og som kalder sig Fru LiliLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener
(1882), died in Dresden, 1931, der kom ud derfra.
![[Page 6]](http://lilielbe.org/media/periodicals/1931-02-28_politiken_02.jpg){kind=link}
Et lykkeligt Menneske..
(11) – Er De nu lykkelig? spørger vi.
(12) – Ja, det er jeg … jeg er saa lykkelig, som man kan blive det, naar man udfries af Livsvilkaar, der har været En paatvunget, og føler sig helt i Overensstemmelse med sig selv … Det er netop det, jeg gerne vil have, at Offentligheden skal forstaa … Einar WegenerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 er ikke mere, og derfor kan han heller ikke male mere – det er ikke, fordi han har tvivlet om sin Kunst, at han hører op.
(13) – Men kan De da ikke male?
(14) – Det ved jeg ikke … jeg har endnu ikke forsøgt, og jeg føler ikke Trang til det … Husk paa, for mig er Livet endnu saa nyt, jeg skal først føle mig til Rette i Tilværelsen … Og selv om jeg prøver paa at male, saa er hele min Indstilling, hele mit Livssyn, saa forskelligt, at det aldrig vil kunne blive en Fortsættelse af hans Arbejde, han var saa udpræget viril i hele sin Malemaade … Nej, dette er og bliver Einar WegenerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931s sidste Udstilling …
(15) – Tror De, at De helt vil kunne undvære Kunsten?
(16) – Nej, men det er muligt, at jeg vil søge at faa min kunstneriske Trang udløst under helt andre Former … maaske gennem Musiken … hvad ved jeg … Livet forekommer mig endnu saa nyt, og foreløbig nyder jeg at kunne hengive mig til kvindelige Sysler … jeg elsker at sy og lave Lampeskærme … Ja, dem har jeg altsaa malet.
En ny Identitet og et ugyldigt Ægteskab..
(17) – Er det alene for Udstillingens Skyld, at De er kommet hertil?
(18) – Ja, denne Gang, svarer Fru LiliLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener
(1882), died in Dresden, 1931, men jeg
har været her før … vi maatte jo til DanmarkDenmark is a Scandinavian country in northern Europe whose capital is Copenhagen., for det første fordi jeg 
Prof. Kurt v. WarnekrosKurt Warnekros (1882–1949), a German gynecologist who performed all but the first
of four surgeries on Lili Elvenes; director of the Women’s Clinic in Dresden (Staatliche
Frauenklinik) from 1925 to 1948, malet
af Gerda Wegener.Gerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator;
married to Einar Wegener
skulde skaffe mig en ny
Identitet og for det andet, fordi Forholdet mellem GerdaGerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator;
married to Einar Wegener og mig skulde ordnes, rent lovmæssigt. Jeg var
forsynet med de nødvendige Erklæringer fra Prof. v. WarnekrosKurt Warnekros (1882–1949), a German gynecologist who performed all but the first
of four surgeries on Lili Elvenes; director of the Women’s Clinic in Dresden (Staatliche
Frauenklinik) from 1925 to 1948, og takket være hans internationale
videnskabelige Avtoritet og de danske Myndigheders Forstaaelse lykkedes det
forholdsvis hurtigt at faa de juridiske Formaliteter i Orden. Mit Køn er
blevet forandret i Kirkebogen, og jeg fik Navneforandring til det nye Navn,
jeg ønskede at kalde mig.
(19) – Fik De ogsaa Skilsmisse?
(20) – Nej … Ægteskabet mellem EinarEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 og Gerda WegenerGerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator; married to Einar Wegener blev ved Dom erklæret for ugyldigt – de er altsaa ikke skilt – de har aldrig været gift.
(21) – Og hvad er nu Deres Fremtidsplaner?
(22) – Foreløbig bliver jeg her, saa længe Udstillingen varer … I Begyndelsen af næste Maaned rejser Gerda WegenerGerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator; married to Einar Wegener til MarokkoMorocco (historical), a country in northern Africa, hvor hun i længere Tid skal opholde sig for at gøre Studier i Anledning af nogle større Bestillinger … Nogen Tid efter tager jeg til ParisParis (historical), capital of France, hvor jeg har forskelligt at ordne, og derpaa besøger jeg sikkert hende i MarokkoMorocco (historical), a country in northern Africa, hvor jeg heller aldrig har været og som det kunde more mig at se … Hvad jeg saa derefter vil gøre … ja, det vil Tiden vise … foreløbig er jeg bare glad ved endelig at faa Lov til at være den, jeg er, slutter Lili ElbeLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener (1882), died in Dresden, 1931. – – –
(23) Lili ElbeLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener (1882), died in Dresden, 1931 er under sit Ophold her i Byen blevet undersøgt af en Række danske Læger, baade Gynækologer og andre og paa et af vore Instituter er der blevet taget en Række Blodprøver for at undersøge Blodets Hormon-Indhold. Rent videnskabeligt set er hendes Tilfælde saaledes af megen Interesse. Hendes usædvanlige Skæbne vil ogsaa menneskeligt set vække baade Interesse og Medfølelse, og man vil med Spænding imødese Lili ElbeLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener (1882), died in Dresden, 1931s videre Udvikling.
Fru LoulouLousie (Loulou) Lassen (1876–1947), a Danish journalist who interviewed the Wegeners and assisted Lili in an early draft of her memoirs.
Translation
Page 5An Existence Through two Lives
– A Past as a Man and a Future as a Woman – Lili ElbeLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener (1882), died in Dresden, 1931 Talks About the Painter Einar WegenerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 and Herself
(01) At the exhibition of the pictures by the artist couple GerdaGerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator; married to Einar Wegener and Einar WegenerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 that has opened in Haslund's and Heyman'sHeyman and Haslund (fictional and historical), Svend Heyman (1878–1931), Ole who owned Ole Haslands Hus with Georg Haslund (1877–1962), where the Wegeners exhibited in Copenhagen houseOle Hasland Hus (historical), art gallery in Copenhagen where the Wegeners exhibited in ØstergadeØstergade (historical), a street in the old town section of Copenhagen is a painting carrying the title Carnival and about which Mrs. WegenerGerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator; married to Einar Wegener herself states that it, as so many of her other pictures, has LiliLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener (1882), died in Dresden, 1931 as its model.
(02) During a visit to the exhibition yesterday, we meet the model Mrs. LiliLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener
(1882), died in Dresden, 1931 herself who walks
around unknown among the visitors
“Carnival”, painted by Gerda WegenerGerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator;
married to Einar Wegener.
only greeted with a friendly smile and a
nod by the artist couple’s close friends who have already known her for so
long that they no longer think about who she is or rather who she was.
Einar WegenerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 Will Never Paint Again
(03) – Gerda WegenerGerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator; married to Einar Wegener has said to several magazines -@Translator: MO that Einar WegenerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 will never paint again – will you tell us the reason? we ask Mrs. LiliLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener (1882), died in Dresden, 1931.
(04) – Yes, I will. I’m even glad that you ask me, because I think that it is my
duty to his artistic legacy to tell the truth.
Lili ElbeLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener
(1882), died in Dresden, 1931, photographed at FrauenklinikMunicipal Women's Clinic (fictional and historical) is the Staatliche Frauenklinik
in Dresden, directed by Professor Kurt Warnekros from 1925 to 1948." in DresdenDresden (historical), city in Germany.
(05) – His legacy? But Einar WegenerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 is not dead?
(06) – No, he is not – but nor does he exist anymore, he has voluntarily obliterated himself to make room for someone else who he thought was more entitled to exist than he was, and this other person – that is me...Yes, I know that you and perhaps many others will find it difficult to understand because my life has turned out quite differently from that of others, turned out in such a way that in reality I am not living a life, but have finished one existence and have now started on a quite different way of life. But I shall try to explain it to you.
The Little Boy With the Doll’s Pram.
(07) Mrs. LiliLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener (1882), died in Dresden, 1931 leans back in a deep armchair and puts her high-heeled shoes on a footrest. A dreamy expression comes into her big dark eyes while she talks about the little child who was born in VejleVejle (historical), Einar Wegener’s birthplace in the Jutland region of Denmark and who was declared to be a boy by the vicar and the midwife and entered into the parish register under the name Einar WegenerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931. It was a very pretty little boy and as his motherAne Marie Wegener (historical), Einar Wegener’s mother was very fond of dressing him up, there were many people who thought he was a little girl. He himself felt like a boy when he played with his brothersBrothers (fictional), modeled on Einar Wegener’s brothers, Holger (b. 1880) and Henrik but his favourite amusement was to push his sisterSister (fictional), modeled on Einar Wegener’s sister, Christiane Thomsen (1881–1954)’s doll’s pram, that is, when no one saw, for he hated being teased. During his childhood, it could sometimes cross his mind that he was not quite like everyone else, but in his early youth all his feelings were absorbed by enthusiasm for the art and literature of antiquity. He wanted to be an artist and he went to CopenhagenCopenhagen (historical), capital of Denmark and was admitted to the academyThe Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts (historical), founded in 1754 and located in the Charlottenborg Palace in Copenhagen, it is the premier academy of arts in Denmark, where the Wegeners both studied.. Here he met the later Gerda WegenerGerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator; married to Einar Wegener.
Friendship and Cooperation
(08) - EinarEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 and Gerda WegenerGerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator; married to Einar Wegener were quite young when they married, Mrs. LiliLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener (1882), died in Dresden, 1931 continues, so young that perhaps they did not really know what they were doing. But they have never regretted it. The relationship that everyone else regarded as a marriage was built on mutual understanding, unshakeable friendship, deep intimacy and comradeship in work. That is why they have never let each other down and why they also in the future will be close as true friends who wish each other the best and will do anything to help each other.
Through Art to the Knowledge of Truth
(09) -Gerda WegenerGerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator; married to Einar Wegener often used Einar WegenerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 as her model and it was through her perception, her artistic instinct that stressed the female element of his nature more and more strongly, that he gradually came to the realisation of his own self...Now came a number of years that were so full of suffering that I prefer not to think of them. Einar WegenerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 felt like a person who is forced to walk around in clothes that are too tight in which he feels ridiculous. In addition to the moral sufferings came the physical, and in vain he turned to the French doctors for help. No one would believe him, they regarded him as hysterical and treated him with X-rays that, as it turned out later, did far more harm than good.
The Great Miracle of Science
(10) - By accident, Mrs. LiliLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener
(1882), died in Dresden, 1931 continued, when I
had given up all hope of ever becoming a normally feeling and thinking
person, I came in touch with a brilliant German scientist, the famous
gynaecologist Prof. Kurt v. WarnekrosKurt Warnekros (1882–1949), a German gynecologist who performed all but the first
of four surgeries on Lili Elvenes; director of the Women’s Clinic in Dresden (Staatliche
Frauenklinik) from 1925 to 1948,
head of Staatlich FrauenklinikMunicipal Women's Clinic (fictional and historical) is the Staatliche Frauenklinik
in Dresden, directed by Professor Kurt Warnekros from 1925 to 1948." in
DresdenDresden (historical), city in Germany. He examined me and
determined that I was not- such as I had been regarded, a man, but
predominantly a woman...
[Page 6]
The result was that I went to DresdenDresden (historical), city in Germany at his request where he subjected me
to a number of major and serious operations at his clinicMunicipal Women's Clinic (fictional and historical) is the Staatliche Frauenklinik
in Dresden, directed by Professor Kurt Warnekros from 1925 to 1948." - the first of this kind that he
had ever performed...It was a month-long suffering, several times I was
close to death, but science and my true nature prevailed. It was Einar WegenerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener;
died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 who was admitted to the clinic
and it was the lady with whom you are now speaking and who calls herself
Mrs. LiliLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener
(1882), died in Dresden, 1931 who left it.
A Happy Person
(11) - Are you happy now? we ask.
(12) -Yes, I am...I am as happy as you can be when you are released from conditions of life that have been forced upon you and feel in complete accordance with yourself...That is exactly what I want the public to understand... Einar WegenerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 no longer exists and for that reason he can no longer paint- it is not because he has been doubtful about his art, that he stops.
(13) - But can't you paint?
(14) -I don't know... I haven't tried yet, and I don't feel any urge to...Don't forget, to me life is still so new, I have to adjust to life...And even if I try to paint, my whole attitude, my whole view of life is so different than it can never be a continuation of his work, he was so distinclty virile in his whole manner of painting...No, this will remain Einar WegenerEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931's last exhibition...
(15) - Do you think that you'll be able to do without art altogether?
(16) - No, but it's possible that I'll try to realise artistic urge under completely different forms...perhaps through music...what do I know...Life still seems so new to me, and so far I enjoy being able to dedicate myself to feminine pursuits...I love sewing and making lamp shades...Yes, those I have painted.
A New Identity and an Invalid Marriage
(17) - Is it only for the sake of the exhibition that you have come here?
(18) - Yes, this time, Mrs. LiliLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener
(1882), died in Dresden, 1931 answers, but I
have been here before... we had to go to DenmarkDenmark is a Scandinavian country in northern Europe whose capital is Copenhagen., first because I
Prof. Kurt v. WarnekrosKurt Warnekros (1882–1949), a German gynecologist who performed all but the first
of four surgeries on Lili Elvenes; director of the Women’s Clinic in Dresden (Staatliche
Frauenklinik) from 1925 to 1948,
painted by Gerda Wegener.Gerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator;
married to Einar Wegener
had to acquire a new identity and
second because the relationship between GerdaGerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator;
married to Einar Wegener and myself had to be legally settled. I have been
provided with the necessary statements from Prof. v. WarnekrosKurt Warnekros (1882–1949), a German gynecologist who performed all but the first
of four surgeries on Lili Elvenes; director of the Women’s Clinic in Dresden (Staatliche
Frauenklinik) from 1925 to 1948 and thanks to his international scientific
authority and the understanding of the Danish authorities, it was possible
to settle the legal formalities relatively quickly. My sex has been changed
in the parish register and my name was changed to the new name that I wished
to call myself.
(19) - Did you also obtain a divorce?
(20) -No...The Marriage between EinarEinar Magnus Andreas Wegener (b. 1882), a Danish painter; married to Gerda Wegener; died as Lili Elbe in Dresden, 1931 and Gerda WegenerGerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator; married to Einar Wegener was declared invalid by court order - so they are not divorced - they have never been married.
(21) - And what are your plans for the future now?
(22) - For the time being, I'll stay here as long as the exhibition lasts... At the beginning of next month Gerda WegenerGerda Maria Frederikke Gottlieb Wegener (1885-1940), an art deco painter and illustrator; married to Einar Wegener will travel to MoroccoMorocco (historical), a country in northern Africa where she'll stay for a longer period to make studies in connection with some major commissions...Some time after that, I'll go to ParisParis (historical), capital of France where I have some things to attend to, and subsequently I'll probably visit her in MoroccoMorocco (historical), a country in northern Africa, where I have never been myself and which it would amuse me to see...What I'll do after that...well, time will tell...for now I'm just happy to finally be allowed to be who I am, Lili ElbeLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener (1882), died in Dresden, 1931 finishes.---
(23) During her visit in this city, Lili ElbeLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener (1882), died in Dresden, 1931 has been examined by a number of Danish doctors, both gynaecologists and others, and at one of our institutes a number of blood samples have been taken to examine the hormone content of the blood. From a purely scientific point of view her case is thus of great interest. Her unusual fate will also arouse both interest and compassion from a human persepctive, and Lili ElbeLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener (1882), died in Dresden, 1931's further development will be keenly awaited
Mrs. LoulouLousie (Loulou) Lassen (1876–1947), a Danish journalist who interviewed the Wegeners and assisted Lili in an early draft of her memoirs.