Harriet Backer: The Farewell (1878) | Art Poster

A moving Norwegian art poster featuring Harriet Backer's The Farewell from 1878. A young woman prepares to leave her family while her mother hides her tearful face in a white handkerchief. The dark interior, carefully painted textures and restrained gestures give the scene its quiet emotional force.

Printed locally on heavyweight matte paper, as close to you as possible. Typical delivery time: 2–5 business days.

• Early major work by Harriet Backer
• Painted in Munich in 1878
• Detailed interior with a psychologically charged family scene
• Associated with realism and the Munich School
• Printed on 200 gsm premium matte paper
• FSC-certified paper from responsibly managed sources
• Available in five sizes
• Frame not included

A daughter says farewell

A young woman stands at the centre of a dark domestic interior, ready to leave her parents. Her mother raises a white handkerchief to her face, while her father remains seated at the coffee table. Their restrained movements suggest a farewell whose full circumstances remain unknown.

Backer leaves space for the viewer to interpret the scene. The careful distance between the figures, the mother's concealed face and the daughter's upright posture create a sense of affection, uncertainty and emotional separation.

Details that carry the story

The painting belongs to Backer's Munich period, when her work was characterised by dark colours, precise drawing and meticulous attention to materials. Fur, skin, flowers, furniture and folded linen are rendered with remarkable care.

The pale tablecloth and white handkerchief catch the limited light and lead the eye through the shadowed room. Small objects help establish the family's social environment while the figures and their reactions remain the centre of the composition.

“This painting stands out from her later work because of the meticulous details and textures.”

A contemporary scene from the Munich years

Backer travelled to Munich in 1874 to continue her education. Women were excluded from the city's art academy, so she studied privately. She initially concentrated on portraits, still lifes and historical interiors in the detailed style associated with the Munich School.

The Farewell marked an important change. Backer placed the figures in a contemporary setting and gave the interior a larger role in the story. According to Store norske leksikon, it was her most ambitious painting from the Munich period and can be connected with realism.

Before Paris changed her palette

Later in 1878, Backer moved to Paris. Encounters with French open-air painting and Impressionism gradually brought clearer colours and a freer treatment of light into her work.

The Farewell therefore captures a decisive point in her development. Its dark, warm palette reflects her Munich training, while its contemporary subject and interest in the psychological relationship between people and rooms point towards the interiors that would define her career.

About Harriet Backer

Harriet Backer was born in Holmestrand in 1845 and is regarded as one of the leading Norwegian painters of her generation. She became particularly known for interiors in which figures, architecture, colour and changing light are closely connected.

After studying in Christiania, Munich and Paris, she returned to Norway in 1888. Her later works include luminous domestic scenes and church interiors, and she became an influential teacher to a younger generation of Norwegian artists.

Artwork details

Available sizes

A quiet and atmospheric interior

The warm browns, deep shadows and pale highlights give the poster a calm yet emotionally charged character. It suits a living room, bedroom, study or reading corner with wood, muted textiles and warm neutral colours.

Discover more historical interiors and Nordic paintings in our collection of Norwegian art.

Frequently asked questions

What does The Farewell depict?

The painting shows a young woman preparing to leave her parents. Her mother hides her face in a handkerchief while her father remains seated at the table.

When did Harriet Backer paint the work?

Backer painted The Farewell in 1878 during the final part of her studies in Munich.

Why is the painting important?

It is considered Backer's most ambitious work from her Munich period and an important step towards the contemporary interiors that became central to her art.

Where is the original painting?

The original belongs to the National Museum of Norway in Oslo and is registered as NG.M.02836.

What paper is the poster printed on?

The poster is printed on heavyweight 200 gsm matte paper with a smooth, non-reflective surface.

Is a frame included?

No. The frame is not included, allowing you to choose one that suits the poster and your interior.