Man Hanging Out - David Černý's Statue of Sigmund Freud

Interesting facts

1. 1

   Sigmund Freud was born in Freiberg in Mähren, which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and is now known as Příbor in the Czech Republic.

2. 2

   The statue is officially titled Viselec, which translates to The Hanger.

3. 3

   David Černý originally created the piece as a reflection on the role of intellectuals in the post-communist era.

4. 4

   The statue has been mistaken for a real suicide attempt by locals and tourists alike, leading to emergency calls to Prague authorities.

5. 5

   The sculpture was prominently displayed in Chicago in 2007 as part of a public art project.

Overview

Man Hanging Out is a provocative outdoor sculpture created by Czech artist David Černý in 1996. It depicts psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud suspended by one hand from a steel pole extending from the roof of a building in Prague's Old Town. The life-sized statue is crafted from laminate and metal. It explores the intellectual's detachment from reality and his struggles with phobias, including his well-documented fear of death. The sculpture has traveled internationally, including exhibitions in London, Berlin, and Stockholm. It remains a permanent fixture of Prague's streetscape, often startling tourists who mistake the figure for a person in distress. The installation is located at the intersection of Husova and Betlémské náměstí streets.

Insider tips

• Look up while walking near the intersection of Husova and Betlémské náměstí to spot the figure.

• Visit during daylight hours, as the sculpture is less visible after sunset.

• Combine this stop with a visit to the nearby Bethlehem Chapel.