Landschap met twee mannen naast een jonge vrouw c. 1870 - 1899

This landscape with two men beside a young woman was made by Frederic Charles Wentzel, using an unconfirmed technique and date. From the title ‘The husbands on the hunting’ we might at first assume the men are married to the woman, and that they are enjoying a day of leisure together. However, the men’s body language and gestures – one whispering in the woman’s ear while the other watches them intently - suggests something more complex is at play. Is this an innocent scene of rural life, or a comment on the social dynamics of marriage and infidelity? Without a specific date, it is difficult to place the work within a precise social or political context. However, the theme of marital relationships was a common topic in 19th-century art and literature, a period when social mores and gender roles were undergoing significant change. This artwork may be participating in debates around these issues. By researching Wentzel and the cultural context in which he was working, we can gain a deeper understanding of this enigmatic image.