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Romanticism

Caspar David Friedrich

Caspar David Friedrich (1774–1840) was the foremost painter of German Romanticism, who turned landscape into a vessel for the soul. His Wanderer above the Sea of Fog has become the very image of human solitude before nature.

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1774–1840 · German Romantic painter

Friedrich made nature a mirror of inner feeling, deeply influencing Symbolism and modern landscape art.

From the artist's life

Friedrich often painted his figures from behind, gazing into the distance, so that we see not their faces but what they see.

Source: Wikipedia / Wikimedia
Portrait of Caspar David Friedrich
Portrait: Wikimedia Commons / Wikipedia.
  • Painted Wanderer above the Sea of Fog, the emblem of Romantic solitude.
  • Used the figure seen from behind to draw the viewer into the scene.
  • Charged landscapes with spiritual and religious meaning.
Romanticismpainterpaintingmuseum route
Caspar David Friedrich, Wanderer above the Sea of Fog

Key works

Where to start

Complete list of key works

Works with a dedicated ArtAtlas page are highlighted in gold.

List checked against Wikidata
  • Wanderer above the Sea of FogOn ArtAtlas
  • The Abbey in the OakwoodListed for reference
  • The Sea of IceListed for reference
  • Chalk Cliffs at RuegenListed for reference
  • The Monk by the SeaListed for reference
  • Tree of crowsListed for reference
  • Two men contemplating the MoonListed for reference