Thursday, April 12, 2018

Looking into the distance

The artist should not only paint what he sees before him, but also what he sees within him. If, however, he sees nothing within him, then he should also omit to paint that which he sees before him.
~Caspar David Friedrich

I like these paintings by German artist Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840) showing people looking into the distance (although in Chalk Cliffs on Rügen, they seem to have dropped something!):

Wanderer above the Sea of Fog
by Caspar David Friedrich

The Stages of Life shows five ships at various distances from the shore, echoing the five figures at various stages of life
by Caspar David Friedrich

Two Men Contemplating the Moon
by Caspar David Friedrich

Moonrise over the Sea
by Caspar David Friedrich

Chalk Cliffs on Rügen
by Caspar David Friedrich


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3 comments:

  1. HWYApril 12, 2018 at 8:26 AM

    Considering his quotation, Friedrich seems to look outward from himself a lot.

    I like his paintings very much. He has painstakingly considered the perspectives of the people and the sea. Especially liked Chalk Cliffs on Rügen, really nice light and shadow, punctuated by the red dress.

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  2. BenApril 12, 2018 at 10:17 AM

    Interesting theme! I like it.

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  3. RettaApril 14, 2018 at 1:43 AM

    What a fascinating collection of paintings. I especially like the Chalk Cliffs. I love everything about it. The composition, the transition from very dark to very light, from the dark heavy thick leaves at the right to the light and feathery leaves as you look left, the wonderful delicate silhouette of the those middle cliffs, and of course, that fantastic red dress that the small branches of the tree seem to be reaching out towards. Great post!

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