One of the roles Beuys adopted was that of a healer. Medical imagery can be seen throughout his work, such as the small Braunkreuz crosses he added to photographs and paintings. The back support used here is based on a plaster cast used to treat spinal abnormalities in children. The same object is seen in the multiple 'Backrest for a Fine-Limbed Person (Hare Type) of the 20th Century' (1972). While this sculpture is unique, multiples were an ideal way for Beuys to spread his ideas to as many people as possible.