Studier til "To kvinder slås om en mand" 1879 - 1910

Oluf Hartmann created these studies for "Two Women Fighting Over a Man" using pen and ink. Hartmann, working at the turn of the century, gives us a glimpse into the prevailing attitudes towards relationships and power dynamics. The sketch illustrates a raw, almost theatrical display of female rivalry, reducing the women to figures in conflict over male attention, while the man remains a passive object. It seems as though Hartmann is wrestling with traditional representations and alternative narratives. The figures are rendered with an emotional intensity which attempts to get at the core of human relationships. Hartmann’s work may reflect the societal pressures placed on women of the time, where their worth was often measured by their relationships with men. It's a compelling and discomforting portrayal of human relationships, and it invites us to reflect on the power dynamics that continue to shape our interactions today.