Wilhelm Jensen

Gradiva: Ein pompejanisches Phantasiestück

"Gradiva: Ein pompejanisches Phantasiestück" by Wilhelm Jensen is a novella published in 1903. A young archaeologist becomes fascinated by an ancient relief depicting a gracefully walking woman, whom he names Gradiva. Later, in a dreamlike state, he encounters her among the ruins of Pompeii. Sigmund Freud's 1907 analysis of the protagonist's behavior and dreams rescued the work from obscurity and transformed Gradiva into a modern mythological figure who inspired surrealist artists and continues to captivate imaginations.