Tragisches Duett / Dramatisches Duett (Tragic Duet / Dramatic Duet), 1987, depicts two figures, one actively reaching into the space, the other passively turning away, curling into a near foetal position. Throughout her career, Lassnig devoted herself to recording various physiological states, looking at herself and the world around her in a direct and unflinching style. While Tragisches Duett / Dramatisches Duett (Tragic Duet /Dramatic Duet) appears to be a meeting of two strikingly different characters, equally it suggests that the characteristics on display – both active and passive – are aspects of the artist herself and, by extension, of us all – and ours to wrestle with or embrace.