Studie til "Dædalus og Ikarus" 1879 - 1910

Oluf Hartmann rendered this study for "Daedalus and Icarus" with ink on paper. We see Daedalus standing, his arms raised, perhaps in the act of constructing wings, while Icarus kneels beside him, head bowed in what appears to be dejection or fatigue. The motif of the fallen figure echoes through art history, from ancient depictions of defeated warriors to Christian iconography of the lamentation. Notice the stark contrast between the upright, active figure and the slumped, passive one. This evokes a powerful emotional tension—a battle between hope and despair. We recognize a certain echo of the pieta here. The kneeling position itself is rich in cultural significance, appearing in religious art as a symbol of humility and supplication. This image resonates with our collective memory of human fallibility and the tragic consequences of unchecked ambition. This depiction of Daedalus and Icarus, caught in a moment of creation and impending doom, serves as a poignant reminder of the cyclical nature of human experience.