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

Oluf Hartmann rendered this pen and ink drawing, titled "Study for Two Women Fighting Over a Man," in the late 19th or early 20th century. The central motif, a dramatic struggle between two women, is a recurring theme throughout art history. Consider the ancient Greek depictions of the "Judgment of Paris," where goddesses vied for a golden apple, or even the biblical story of Eve and Lilith. Hartmann’s sketch, however, strips away the layers of mythological or moral narrative, plunging us directly into the raw emotional core of the conflict. The image evokes a primal scene, touching on collective memories of rivalry and desire. It's almost as if the chaotic lines and blurred forms are less about representing a physical fight, and more about visualizing the tumultuous emotional landscape within each figure. The struggle is not just physical; it is a battle for identity, recognition, and perhaps even survival. Hartmann taps into our deep-seated understanding of human relationships, echoing through the ages with visceral intensity.