Hermione von Preuschen (Darmstadt 1854-1918 Berlin-Lichtenrade)

Homage to Henrik Ibsen (Tree with lamp and flying seagull)

circa 1906

mixed media on paper

30,5 x 18,5 cm (passepartout), 44 x 32 cm (with frame)

signed lower left: "H. v. Preuschen."

inscribed at top center: "Henrik Ibsen"

inscribed lower right:"Der stärkste Mann ist der - der allein steht." ["The strongest man is the one - who stands alone." 

Hermione von Preuschen paraphrases the conclusion of Norwegian playwright Henrk Ibsen's 1882 play An Enemy of the People [En folkefiende], where the protagonist Dr. Stockmann states: "I have made a great discovery ... It is this, let me tell you—that the strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone."