The construction KvF is a pendant to Indiana’s Hartley Elegies (1989–94), a series of 18 paintings inspired by Marsden Hartley’s War Motif series, which Hartley executed as a tribute to the young German soldier Karl von Freyburg, who died during World War I and with whom Hartley had a deep friendship. The sculpture, like the paintings, incorporates motifs from Hartley’s series, including the Iron Cross, which von Freyburg was awarded shortly before his death, and the number 24, the age at which he died. Its composition and color scheme most closely resemble that of the paintings KvF II (Hartley Elegy) (1992) and KvF XV (Hartley Elegy) (1989–94).
KvF is one of the six Vinalhaven constructions that Indiana chose to have cast in bronze between 2015 and 2018.