Afskeden. En stående og en siddende skikkelse ved et dødsleje 1839

Hermann Ernst Freund created this relief sculpture of plaster, titled "Afskeden. En stående og en siddende skikkelse ved et dødsleje," which translates to "The Farewell: A Standing and a Sitting Figure at a Deathbed." The monochromatic palette focuses our attention on the interplay of light and shadow across the textured surfaces. Freund’s composition arranges three figures—one prone and two upright—within a shallow depth, reminiscent of classical friezes. The artist masterfully uses the bas-relief technique to model forms, creating a subtle yet expressive narrative. The linear folds of the drapery add movement and emphasize the emotional weight of the scene. The poses and gestures of the figures convey grief and resignation, universal emotions rendered through classical forms. This work employs a formal language that evokes a sense of timelessness, inviting contemplation on themes of mortality and human relationships. The careful articulation of form, combined with the restrained emotional expression, exemplifies the Neoclassical aesthetic prevalent during Freund's time.