Afskeden 1871 - 1875

Joel Ballin created "Afskeden" with engraving, in 1864. Note how the composition arranges the figures in distinct groups, each contributing to the overarching theme of departure and separation. The foreground is dominated by standing soldiers, contrasted against a distant landscape filled with marching troops. The eye is drawn to the central figures holding hands, emphasized by the stark, reflective ground beneath them. The subtle tonal gradations create a poignant atmosphere. The arrangement of the figures and the vast landscape evoke a sense of the individual against a backdrop of historical events, reminiscent of Existentialist philosophy, where personal experiences are framed within larger, often indifferent, realities. The lines and shapes, combined with the somber color palette, enhance the emotional weight of the scene. The formal elements of the artwork function together to create a deeper meditation on loss, duty, and the human condition.