Caspar David Friedrich's Dark, Delightful Tangle with Goethe and Art World
Goethe just couldn't take it. The gloom and melancholy in Caspar David Friedrich's paintings were too much for him. Too terse, too religious, too patriotic, he reckoned. That's why our famous poet once pelted one of Friedrich's paintings with his fits. Ah, the makings of a great story, Florian Illies might think as he pens his book, "Magic of Silence." The perfect setup for the Caspar David Friedrich Year 2024.
The quirks in their relationship are sprinkled throughout the book. And what a book it is! Illies doesn't stick to any strict chronology. Instead, he mixes and matches like a mosaic master. It's echoes of Friedrich and Goethe's tension, played out in all its absurdity.
For a long time after Goethe, who wasn't alone in his miserable opinion about Friedrich, others dismissed him too. He was a Romantic classic, forgotten in the art world, like a dusty relic. Rarely signed, frequently misattributed, his paintings were relegated to old manor houses or crumbling châteaus.
But hey, perseverance! Or perhaps it was just simple luck. One of his most iconic works, "The Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog," vanished into the ether for over a hundred years. It roamed through countless private collections, little known and unloved. It wasn't until the 1970s that this hidden gem found a home at the Hamburger Kunsthalle.
The story of "Chalk Cliffs on Rügen" is an even more peculiar tale. It was once credited to Carl Blechen, another Romantic artist. The painting hung on the wall of a young lady's room during her formative years. Years went by, she became famous as Gisèle Freund, a renowned photographer. "I grew up under the chalk cliffs of Rügen," she said.
Unfortunately, not all of Friedrich's works have had such lucky escapes. Several were burnt in disasters, and half of his paintings are considered lost forever.
But wait, here's where the plot thickens, because Friedrich was an intriguing fellow. He influenced artists you'd never think of. Walt Disney loved his paintings – and who knew that “Waiting for Godot” might have been a homage to his "Two Men Contemplating the Moon"?
Friedrich was a complicated draughtsman, too. Illies belives that might be why he often painted his subjects from behind. The result? Some of the most charming back portraits in art history.
Friedrich gained fame again after the release of Florian Illies' "Magic of Silence." Despite the years of overlooked and misunderstood masterpieces, Friedrich's work began to see a resurgence of interest. New releases of his paintings won praise and admiration.
Friedrich’s journey is a testament to how art can rise from obscurity to fame, and how it sometimes takes a fresh perspective to reveal its beauty. He was a Romantic artist, often overlooked and misjudged, but his work continues to spellbound us. And who knows, maybe his name will yet inspire more future generations to marvel at his genius.
During Friedrich's life, his work was often shunned and misinterpreted. In the 20th century, artists like Max Ernst and René Magritte were inspired by him. And after World War II, art historians like Werner Hofmann, Helmut Börsch-Supan, and Sigrid Hinz successfully repositioned Friedrich’s works within the art-historical context. As a result, Friedrich's reputation as an icon began to recover in Germany and later around the world.
Friedrich’s complex psychological nuances and transcending of cultural boundaries offer continuing artistic inspiration. Despite serving as a symbol of German Nationalism during the early 20th century, the misrepresentation of his work soon began to dissipate. Thinking beyond political connotations, many came to appreciate Friedrich for his mastery of detail, symbolism, and cultural awareness.
In conclusion, Caspar David Friedrich’s works have demonstrated a fascinating journey from obscurity to acclaim. His symbolism and spiritually evocative art drew inspiration to modern and avant-garde artists throughout the 20th century. The continued exploration and celebration of his profound work and enduring legacy continue to capture contemporary interest around the world.
