History is full of unsung heroes who have challenged societal norms and paved the way for progress. Among them are Marie Høeg and Bolette Berg, two extraordinary women who defied expectations and left an indelible mark on the early 20th-century feminist movement. (Women won the right to vote in Norway in 1913.) While their names might not be as well-known as some other pioneers, their contribution to women's rights and gender equality is nothing short of remarkable.

Marie Høeg and Bolette Berg were both born in Norway during the latter half of the 19th century. Their paths crossed when they became friends at a young age, discovering a shared passion for photography and an unwavering desire to challenge societal norms. Throughout their lives, they remained inseparable partners, embarking on an extraordinary journey together.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, women were expected to conform to strict societal norms, often limiting their roles to that of wives and mothers. However, Marie Høeg and Bolette Berg were anything but conventional. They rejected the traditional roles assigned to women and sought to redefine the boundaries of their existence.

Both women decided to remain unmarried, a decision that raised eyebrows in their conservative society. Instead of settling for domesticity, they forged a path as successful professional photographers, an occupation dominated by men during that era. Their studio in Horten, Norway, became a hub for creativity and progressive ideas.

While photography was their means of livelihood, it also became a powerful medium for expressing their feminist beliefs. Marie Høeg and Bolette Berg used their photography to challenge gender stereotypes and subvert societal expectations. They captured images of themselves dressed in male clothing, smoking cigars, and engaging in activities typically associated with men.

Their photographs were revolutionary for the time, boldly proclaiming that women could be whoever they wanted to be, unrestricted by the narrow confines of gender norms. These images were not just an artistic expression but also a political statement that demanded equality and respect for women. More than three decades after Høeg’s death in 1949, a box of the partners' glass plate negatives marked “private” was discovered on a farm where they once lived.

Marie and Bolette were not content with limiting their activism to photography alone. They actively participated in the bohemian circles of their time, associating with other progressive artists, writers, and intellectuals. Through their connections, they contributed to the burgeoning feminist movements both in Norway and beyond.

Despite their groundbreaking work, Marie Høeg and Bolette Berg's story remained largely unknown for many years. Now in the collection of the Preus Museum, the photos offer a remarkable glimpse into the photographers’ private gender-bending experiments.