In August 1966, the sculpture ’Karyatide’ was inaugurated in the urn garden at Struer Churchyard. It was a gift from the Danish Art Fund when the church celebrated its 75th anniversary.

The sculpture is a so-called karyatide which is the figure of a woman who bears a pillar in a structure. It is most often seen in Greek, classic architecture.

August Keil’s ’Karyatide’ stands completely free with a basket on her head. The woman moves forward with her head held high and her back straight, and she is reminiscent of a Greek Curos (an old Greek figure).

On the footing is a human, carved in flat relief. The naked body is seen from the side, and a leaf is held over its head. The body expresses powerlessness, frustration, and sorrow. The figure pays homage to eternity expressed in the monumentally strong female body above.

The sculpture conveys something placid, as if it urges you to relax.

Copyright Struer Museum