Farfadern is a bronze sculpture that depicts a young boy sitting on the lap of an elderly man. This piece was cast in Paris in 1896, which was only two years after the death of the artist Per Hasselberg.
Between 1885 and 1886, Hasselberg first shaped the work in plaster. Although that original plaster model has vanished, the bronze version remains visible against the western facade of the Royal Library in Humlegården.
During its initial unveiling, the artwork generated intense public friction. Many people viewed the figures as provocative or offensive, a conflict even noted by Hjalmar Söderberg in his 1897 short story Vox populi.
We can now look at the sculpture as a profound study of different life stages. It illustrates the grandfather's aging years alongside the start of the boy's journey. Anyone wishing to explore this contrast can view the bronze work within the public space of the park.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nik Frost
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