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Transexion [erroneously transection; (trans & sex & ion)] Transformation as regards sex; change of sex.
“It much impeacheth this transection of hares if that be true which Cardan and other physicians affirm, that transmutation of sex is only so in opinion.” Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., iii, 17.
THIS contributor has encountered an instance of transexion occurring in an art review, and the circumstances and attendant feelings may be of interest. In the magazine, Scottish Arts and Letters, Glasgow, 1944, Vol. 1, there appears an article entitled, “Rousseau and Chirico”, which concerns itself with these two well-known contemporary painters, the Frenchman, Henri Rousseau, and the Italian, Giorgio de Chirico. In particular, one painting of each is examined by the writer of the article and interpretations of some of the images and symbolism are made. De Chirico was one of the most active of surrealists and, while Rousseau is not ordinarily considered to be of that school, that writer judges both paintings from that point of view.
The painting of Rousseau's with which the article deals is called, “La Bohémienne Endormie”, meaning the sleeping gypsy. It is a familiar piece in the world of art. It is an exquisite tableau, in its way, and was painted in a rather primitive style. Rousseau was not sophisticated in his methods and his subject matter has a happy, engaging quality. One would say that there is much of interest and excitement in him, but, in general, his statements are genre and naive in character.