Kompositionsstudie med mange figurer 1879 - 1910

Oluf Hartmann created this composition study with many figures using graphite on paper. The initial impression is of a chaotic arrangement of lines, which on closer inspection, reveals itself as a gathering of figures. Hartmann’s study presents a challenge to traditional representation. The figures are not clearly delineated but are suggested through a dense network of lines. This abstraction shifts the focus from the figures to the underlying structure of the composition. The horizontal lines at the bottom provide a sense of grounding, but the overall effect is one of dynamic movement and unresolved tension. Hartmann uses the interplay between form and formlessness to engage with ideas about perception. By not giving us a clear image, he forces us to actively participate in constructing the scene. The study destabilizes the expectation of a coherent narrative, instead offering a glimpse into the artist's process.