“Flee the Bee!” is a genre painting by Gerda Wegener, a noted artist associated with the Art Deco movement. The artwork depicts a playful yet dynamic scene, characteristic of its genre, encapsulated within the stylistic essence of Art Deco.
In the artwork, two women, elegantly dressed in voluminous white skirts and fashionable hats, are depicted in an exaggerated moment of alarm, as they energetically gesture to avoid a bee hovering nearby. One woman, positioned on the left, is clutching a bouquet of flowers while the other, with her arm extended, appears to be guiding or protecting her companion from the menace. The expressions on their faces are rendered with a comedic sense of urgency and surprise. At the bottom left corner, a small, animated dog seems to mimic the women’s reaction, adding to the humorous and lively quality of the scene. The background features stylized, geometric elements typical of Art Deco, with a blend of muted and bold colors that enhance the narrative and visual impact of the composition.
