Tote Mutter, from the series Vom Tode Zweiter Teil 1870 - 1920

"Tote Mutter" (Dead Mother) is a lithograph by Max Klinger from the series "Vom Tode Zweiter Teil" (From Death, Second Part) created between 1870 and 1920. The artwork portrays a dramatic scene of a young child sitting on a bed, looking over the deceased mother's head, which rests on a pillow adorned with flowers. The composition is framed by a series of twisting columns, creating a sense of claustrophobia and evoking a melancholic and somber atmosphere. The lithograph's subject matter and emotional intensity reflect Klinger's interest in exploring the themes of death, mourning, and the afterlife, making it a striking and evocative piece of Symbolism.