The Garden of Death
Encyclopedia
The Garden of Death (1896) is a painting by Finnish
symbolist painter Hugo Simberg
. Like many of Simberg's paintings, it depicts a gloomy, otherworldly scene. The central figures are reminiscent of the classic black-clad Grim Reaper
, but paradoxically are tending to gardens; traditionally symbols of birth or renewal.
The Garden of Death is one of the few paintings whose symbolism Simberg explained; typically he preferred to let viewers come to their own conclusions. In a note on one sketch he described the garden as "the place where the dead end up before going to Heaven
".
The painting was a favourite subject of Simberg's and he made several versions using different techniques. Among the most famous of those is the larger version of the painting that exists in the Tampere Cathedral
, which Simberg painted fresco
es for in 1905 and 1906.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
symbolist painter Hugo Simberg
Hugo Simberg
Hugo Gerhard Simberg was a Finnish symbolist painter and graphic artist.-Life:Simberg was born at Hamina in Finland, the son of Colonel Nicolai Simberg and Ebba Matilda Simberg ....
. Like many of Simberg's paintings, it depicts a gloomy, otherworldly scene. The central figures are reminiscent of the classic black-clad Grim Reaper
Death (personification)
The concept of death as a sentient entity has existed in many societies since the beginning of history. In English, Death is often given the name Grim Reaper and, from the 15th century onwards, came to be shown as a skeletal figure carrying a large scythe and clothed in a black cloak with a hood...
, but paradoxically are tending to gardens; traditionally symbols of birth or renewal.
The Garden of Death is one of the few paintings whose symbolism Simberg explained; typically he preferred to let viewers come to their own conclusions. In a note on one sketch he described the garden as "the place where the dead end up before going to Heaven
Heaven
Heaven, the Heavens or Seven Heavens, is a common religious cosmological or metaphysical term for the physical or transcendent place from which heavenly beings originate, are enthroned or inhabit...
".
The painting was a favourite subject of Simberg's and he made several versions using different techniques. Among the most famous of those is the larger version of the painting that exists in the Tampere Cathedral
Tampere Cathedral
The Tampere Cathedral is a church in Tampere, Finland, and the seat of the Diocese of Tampere. The building was designed in the National Romantic style by Lars Sonck, and built between 1902 and 1907.The cathedral is famous for its frescoes, painted by the symbolist Hugo Simberg between 1905 and 1906...
, which Simberg painted fresco
Fresco
Fresco is any of several related mural painting types, executed on plaster on walls or ceilings. The word fresco comes from the Greek word affresca which derives from the Latin word for "fresh". Frescoes first developed in the ancient world and continued to be popular through the Renaissance...
es for in 1905 and 1906.