Pro Patria, Wilhelm Freddie
Wilhelm Freddie
Pro Patria
DE
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Wilhelm Freddie

Pro Patria, 1941


Dimensions
100.4 x 77.0 cm
Inventory Number
2488
Acquisition
Acquired in 2017 with means from the bequest of Werner Wirthle on occasion of the departure of Felix Krämer (Head of Modern Art, 2008-2017)
Status
Not on display

Texts

About the Work

From the end of the 1920s onwards, the Danish artist Wilhelm Freddie developed a keen interest in the fantastical compositions of the French Surrealists. Pro Patra (Latin: “For the Fatherland”) was created during the German occupation of his home country. Elements such as the stone coffin on the right or the man with shackled feet on the left evoke an uncanny, morbid atmosphere. In marked contrast to this we find the figure of a laughing boy, who clutches the Danish flag “Dannebrog”. Together with the programmatic title this is an unmistakable affirmation of national resistance against the Nazi regime. Because of his political views Freddie was forced to flee into Swedish exile in 1944.

Work Data

Basic Information

Title
Pro Patria
Painter
Period Produced
School
Object Type
Material
Technique
Label at the Time of Manufacture
Signiert und datiert unten links: freddie~ / ~mdj~1941~

Property and Acquisition

Institution
Departement
Collection
Creditline
Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main
Picture Copyright
© VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2024
Acquisition
Acquired in 2017 with means from the bequest of Werner Wirthle on occasion of the departure of Felix Krämer (Head of Modern Art, 2008-2017)

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre
Main Motif
Associated Persons and Institutions
Associated Medium
  • La Révolution surréaliste, 1924-1929, Hg. André Breton

Iconclass

Primary
Secondary
  • 41D211 dress, gown
  • 41D213(SUIT) ensembles of pieces of clothing (SUIT)
  • 41D222(TIE) neck-gear ~ clothing (TIE)
  • 44A3 flag, colours (as symbol of the state, etc.)
  • 61D(DENMARK) geographical names of countries, regions, mountains, rivers, etc. (DENMARK) (DENMARK)
  • 31B621 morphology of facial expression ~ eyes
  • 22C8 shadow
  • 48C5142 picture within picture

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Last update

13.03.2024