Two Witches Fighting

The artist applied paint thickly, creating a heavily textured surface characteristic of impasto. Brushstrokes are visible and forceful, contributing to a sense of raw energy. Color is used sparingly but strategically—the red cloth stands out against a dark, neutral background. The blurred forms and lack of defined edges enhance the painting’s primal, almost chaotic atmosphere.

The work was likely produced in the early 20th century and entered the Museum of Ethnography’s collection shortly thereafter. Its origins remain undocumented beyond the artist’s name and date. No exhibition history or prior ownership records are publicly available, suggesting it was acquired directly from the artist or an early collector with ties to ethnographic interests.

Created during a period when European artists increasingly turned to myth, folklore, and the subconscious, the painting aligns with broader Symbolist and Expressionist tendencies. Its focus on the occult and emotional intensity reflects contemporary fascination with the unseen forces shaping human experience, though it diverges from academic norms through its rough execution.

Though not widely reproduced or studied, the work remains a notable example of early modernist experimentation with emotional expression through texture and abstraction. Its presence in an ethnographic museum underscores its perceived connection to cultural beliefs beyond Western realism. It continues to provoke discussion on how art conveys mythic themes without literal clarity.