To figurer 1879 - 1910

Oluf Hartmann created this small etching, called ‘To Figurer’, sometime before his early death in 1910. Its rough, unfinished quality invites us to consider the institutional context of early twentieth-century printmaking. At this time, the graphic arts were undergoing a revival, with many artists experimenting with etching, lithography, and woodcuts. Museums and galleries were beginning to collect and exhibit these works, and artists’ societies were formed to promote them. The etching’s freely drawn lines and tonal contrasts capture a fleeting moment. The figures appear lost in thought, perhaps hinting at the artist’s own struggles with mental health. Art historians often consult letters, diaries, and exhibition reviews to reconstruct the artist's intentions and the reception of their work. By placing this etching within the context of the graphic arts revival and Hartmann's biography, we can better understand its meaning and significance. Art is, after all, contingent on social and institutional contexts.