This poignant portrait captures not only Freud’s enduring intellect but also his vulnerability in his final days. “My dear Professor: The essence of a man’s character, the sum of his moral and intellectual life, is reflected in his features. You should be proud of every line, every wrinkle,” Marcel Sternberger told Sigmund Freud during this portrait sitting, which would become Freud’s final documented images. Freud was suffering from advanced jaw cancer, which had caused him immense pain. Sternberger understood the fragile nature of Freud’s ego and intellectual pride. To ease his discomfort in front of the camera, the photographer equated Freud’s physical appearance with his substantial contributions to human knowledge. Freud, perhaps more than any of Sternberger’s subjects, could easily understand the psychological dynamics at play with this flattery, but even he was not immune to Sternberger’s charm.

All photographs are limited edition gelatin silver, numbered on the verso, and sealed with a stamp of authenticity. Photographs are sold unframed and printed from the original negative 2017 to the present.

$900
16” x 20”
Limited Edition 8/20