October - Week 1

Written 08/10/2025

Photo of a white woman in her 50s/60s with large glasses

Who am I studying?

This month, I am studying a German artist - Toni Ebel

Short biography

So, Toni is interesting as she is actually NOT best known for her artwork but because she was part of Magnus Hirschfeld's Institut für Sexualwissenschaft (Institute for Sexual Science). She received gender reassignment surgery there in 1930 and worked there as a houskeeper.

That was when she was in her late 40s (she was born in Berlin in 1881), so she spent her youth living as a man - much to her suicidal anguish. She even married a woman called Olga in 1908 (during her marriage she attempted suicide 4 times)

In terms of her art, after she left school she apprenticed as a decorator but then went to Munich (and then later Venice) where she studied painting (and in Venice she had a romantic relationship with her mentor). But for 20 years (1908-1928) she was a respected 'male' painter. This included being drafted in World War 1, though she was discharged due to a mental breakdown. Her youth was not a happy one (even with respites)

In 1928, her wife died. Which while likely sad for her seemed to also free her as this is when she started her gender transition (and lived in the Institute I guess?). In 1933 footage of her (uncredited) was used in a film called Mysterium des Geschlechtes (Mystery of Sex) which is about sexology.

In 1933 she converted to Judaism, as her partner was Jewish. Which, um, holy shit?? A trans woman in 1930s Germany CONVERTING to Judaism is BALLSY (metaphorically obviously, since she had hers removed)

During the 1930s-40s, she and her partner moved around Europe (wherever they could be safe-ish) and she painted to make ends meet. Unfortunately they were separated, not by choice but because they were in danger. Also when the Institute was burnt down in 1935 a lot of her early work was destroyed, so despite having a long career it's mostly only her post-war art that survives.

After the war, she lived in East Germany - seemingly stealth - and became a member of the Association of Visual Artists of East Germany and her work was shown in galleries.

She died in 1961 aged 79, which is heartening to know. That despite the many struggles in her life, she had a long one and that it ended peacefully.

Why I chose her

I will admit, I knew I wanted to have at least one trans woman artist as a subject - since trans women are women and I want to study the widest variety of female artists this year as possible! Her story really interested me (and made me feel emotional), and I want to highlight her art specifically as that is not discussed much as the primary topic about her.

Examples of her work

Painted self portrait of Toni Ebel, a late middle aged white woman wearing a beret, large glasses and black jumper and grey scarf
Selbstbildnis (Self-Portrait), 1955. I like the pose she has in this self portrait, like she is a bit weary with all that has happened to her but also self-assured in her present (that's how I see it anyway).
A charcoal sketch of four people playing cards around a table
Kneipenscene (Pub Scene), 1960. I like this little scene, it feels like something caught quickly in the moment - I like how two of the faces look pretty serious but then one woman looks rather cheerful. It adds a little whimsy to it for me.
A black and white charocal portrait of a late middle aged woman (not Toni Ebel, but I don't know who she is) staring straight ahead. Her hair is up and she is wearing a dark shirt/blouse
Friedenskämpferin (Peace Fighter), 1961. I don't know who this woman is (was) sadly, but I wonder if she was someone important to Toni. I like her serious expression, also the way that Toni managed to catch the light with the hair highlights is exquisite!
An oil painting of a woman and a boy sat around a table sewing, the woman is using an old fashioned sewing machine and the boy is using his hands
Näherin und Junge (Seamstress and Boy), before 1930. I like this domestic scene, and it is interesting to me that the Boy in the piece is actually helping the seamstress (possibly his mother but I'm not sure) with the sewing, typically a 'female' occupation - but then Toni would know about gender subversion wouldn't she?
An oil landscape of a river that is surrounded on either side by lots of trees. The front most trees are not fully in view due to how 'close' they are to the front.
Märkische Landschaft (with Waldsee), 1950s. This is a very beautiful landscape of this area, there are better pictures of this painting but they are too small for what I like to show on this blog. The shading and perspective are great.
An oil painting of a desk with a book wih glasses on top of it, several bottle of wine with two glasses - one empty, one full , two apples, some books and a small painting within the painting of a still life with a vase and two apples
Stilleben mit Wein (Still Life with Wine), 1930s. This (to me) seems to tell a bit of a story. She is busy with her work (the painting within the painting) and things are strewn about a bit, but this in itself IS a painting so things are carefully placed to make a good composition (it reminds me of Artmesisia Gentilleschi's Self-Portrait the Allegory of Painting in that it is a 'meta' painting - in my opinion)

Links to more info about her