The written correspondence between Carus and Goethe lasted for over ten years, despite their having only met once. Carus venerated the poet and researcher and dedicated several writings to him. With this allegory Carus honours the deceased man: swans, animals sacred to Apollo the god of poetry, bear his lyre enveloped in the laurel wreath. In the stormy sky, in contrast, the rainbow with its spectral colours and the cloud formations are references to Goethe’s research on colour theory and meteorology.