Two Sisters Under Obsession by Herculin

Two Sisters Under Obsession is a painting by legendary artist Herculin, a painter who lived during the Honoroe Dynasty long before Structuralism took over the territory. During the coup of the Honoroe Family, nearly all of Herculin's works were destroyed, and Two Sisters... is the only painting to survive.

The Artist

Herculin was a popular artist whose oil paintings were remarkable in their realistic detail and dreamlike imagery. Viewers of his work often said they were never sure if they understood what he was trying to convey, but the feelings they aroused were potent. This upset some who were confused at why they felt so strongly about his work without a clear explanation as to why.
Herculin's work soon caught on with the Royal Honoroe Family who swiftly bought up all his work, paying large sums to of money to collect all of his art in one place. A room in the Honoroe Keep was dedicated to Herculin and was the source of great pride among the Honoroe Family. However Herculin was not impressed claiming that now his "art would now be seen by no one of great import. Bottled up like a brandy in the cabinet of an alcoholic, who drinks not to appreciate the craft but to avoid his own misery. " Unfortunately for Herculin, it would only get worse.

The Fire in Honoroe Keep

Long after Herculin's passing, leaders of the outlawed Structuralist Religion staged a coup to overthrow then king Fulcon Honoroe. During the invasion of Honoroe Keep, a fire broke out and Structuralist soldiers wanting to limit damage to the city frantically searched for its source. What they discovered was Fulcon Honoroe in the Herculin Gallery stoking the blaze with the works of the famed artist. Witnesses claimed Fulcon was naked and stark raving mad, his skin blistering from the flames. He was subdued and later died from his wounds. Unprepared for a fire, the soldiers struggled to control the blaze, resulting in the loss of seemingly all of Herculin's work.
While exploring the keep, one painting was discovered in a parlor decorated by Fulcon's grandfather Dane. It was quickly identified as a work of Herculin and as of today is the only known piece of his in existence.

The Painting

Two Sisters Under Obsession depicts two sisters on opposite sides of the canvas, their eyes are furrowed and their teeth are bared. They face away from one another, their gaze directed at some outside force the viewer can not see. The center of the painting is dominated by a pond which the two sisters are knee deep in. In the background we can see a few animals drinking from the pond, seemingly unaware of the conflict in the foreground. In the pond one can make out reflections of the sky including the faint sparkle of the Terun Star
The Sisters themselves are starkly different with one's clothes in tatters revealing her flesh underneath, while the other is dressed in a full gown, the skirt of which is soaked with pond water.
The frame of the painting is uniquely wide and narrow creating a sense of unease and confinement despite the large amounts of open space. The distance between the two subjects forces the viewer to focus on one sister at a time. In order to properly see them both at once, the viewer must stand far away, sacrificing their ability to discern the little details Herculin painstakingly rendered. While the work seems dialectical with two different images of women on opposite sides of the canvas, it also appears to be in a dialogue with the observer, challenging the way they view the painting, with no perfect solution.

Current Location

The Structuralist Church who are now the custodians of this priceless work of art, are unsure what to do with it. There is much debate among the clergy over the painting's intention and how it makes the viewer feel. Until its ambigous message can be made clear and easily explainable to viewers, it is best that it remains under lock and key.

Item type

Art