summoned by gustav iii, sergel returned to stockholm in 1779 and continued to work there. among the monuments he created at this time are a tomb for gustav vasa, a monument to descartes, and a large relief in the church of st. clarens, representing the resurrection. he was an important part of the artistic elite in stockholm, drawing a portrait of sweden's bard carl michael bellman among others. he had a relationship with the celebrated actress fredrique löwen and was possibly the father of one of her children. he died in his native city on 26 february 1814.