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Caspar David Friedrich
Inventing Romanticism
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Romanticism in artistry emphasizes emotion as inspiration. Caspar David Friedrich is considered to be the greatest German Romantic painter and an original genius in the history of landscape painting. |
Friedrich is the subject of an exhibition at the Hamburger Kunsthalle, providing a deep and revealing insight into his work. From recent exploration of Friedrich two main lines of interpretation have emerged: the religious and the political readings of Friedrich’s motifs. These are an integral part of the exhibition where 70 oil paintings, as well as over 100 watercolors, pencil and sepia drawings, from around 50 international museums and private collections will be on display.
Title: Meeresufer im Mondschein / Seashore by Moonlight, 1836
Artist: Caspar David Friedrich (German 1774-1840)
Medium: Öl auf Leinwand / Oil on Canvas
Dimensions: 134 x 169.2 cm
Permanent Collection & ©: Hamburger Kunsthalle / bpk
Image Courtesy: Hamburger Kunsthalle
The manifestation of the Romantic art movement was feelings are all! The name came from a revived interest, at the time, in medieval romantic tales.
Title: Morgennebel im Gebirge / Morning Fog in the Mountains, 1808
Artist: Caspar David Friedrich (German 1774-1840)
Medium: Öl auf Leinwand / Oil on Canvas
Dimensions: 71 x 104 cm
Permanent Collection & ©: Museum Schloß Heidecksburg, Rudolstadt
Image Courtesy: Hamburger Kunsthalle
Biography
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Friedrich studied at the Copenhagen Academy under Jens Juel (Danish 1745-1802).
Juel worked in Dresden, Rome, Paris and Geneva before he settled in Copenhagen and became the Court Painter (1780) and Professor of the Academy in 1784, but his interests did not lie in teaching. . |
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He painted landscapes, genre scenes and still life but was known for his 'sensitive' portraits. Friedrich also studied with Nicolai Abraham Abilagaard (Danish 1743-1809) who leaned towards historical, literary and mythological subjects. Abilagaard was the Director of the Copenhagen Academy from 1789-91 and 1801-9. His pupils included Bertel Thorvalsen |
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Friedrich didn't take up oil painting until 1807 as he preferred sepia wash. Cross in the Mountain, not part of the exhibit, was considered a controversial work. The artist had painted a landscape for what was meant to be an altarpiece. |
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His landscapes had a haunting sensuality even when they lacked overtly religious symbolism. He once wrote "If the artist sees nothing within him, 'then he should also refrain from painting what he sees before him."
Title: Das Eismeer / The Arctic Sea, ca. 1823/34
Artist: Caspar David Friedrich (German 1774-1840)
Medium: Öl auf Leinwand / Oil on Canvas
Dimensions: 96.7 x 126.9 cm
© Hamburger Kunsthalle / bpk
Image Courtesy: Hamburger Kunsthalle
Casper David Friedrich Inventing Romanticism
Hamburger Kunsthalle:
October 7, 2006 - January 18, 2007