Celebrating the Legacy of Caspar David Friedrich: A Landmark Exhibition in Dresden
The Dresden State Art Collections (SKD) is commemorating the 250th birthday of Caspar David Friedrich (1774–1840), a pioneering figure in Romanticism and German landscape painting, with an expansive exhibition. This event, supported by A. Lange & Söhne, a renowned Saxon precision watchmaking company, highlights Friedrich’s enduring influence on art and culture.
The exhibition, titled “Caspar David Friedrich. Where It All Started,” will be showcased at the Albertinum from August 24, 2024, to January 5, 2025, with a parallel display at the Museum of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs running from August 24 to November 17, 2024. The collection features 14 of Friedrich’s most iconic paintings, offering a comprehensive overview of his artistic journey. Notable works include “Wanderer above the Sea of Fog,” on loan from the Hamburger Kunsthalle, and “Moonrise by the Sea” from the Alte Nationalgalerie Berlin, alongside celebrated pieces from the SKD’s own collection, such as “Two Men Contemplating the Moon” and “The Great Enclosure near Dresden.” This exhibition marks the culmination of a series of tributes to Friedrich across Germany, with a major retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum in New York to follow in 2025.
Dresden, a city that was a central hub for landscape art at the end of the 18th century, holds a special place in Friedrich’s legacy. It was here that he spent much of his life, forging connections with contemporaries and producing a significant portion of his work. The exhibition invites visitors to explore Friedrich’s art in the very environment that inspired it, offering a unique perspective on his creative process. The showcased landscapes, both real and allegorical, reflect Friedrich’s deep engagement with nature and his exploration of political and religious themes. The exhibition also provides new insights into Friedrich’s perception of the Old Masters and his contemporaries, a relatively unexplored aspect of his work.
Friedrich’s art is deeply rooted in his personal experience of nature, a central theme of Romanticism. His ability to capture the subtle, atmospheric nuances of dusk and his creation of evocative compositions from familiar landscapes made him a world-renowned artist. Friedrich’s work, characterized by its contemplative and melancholic tone, addresses existential questions about human life and its impermanence, themes that remain relevant today. This is particularly evident in his famous Rückenfiguren, or figures seen from behind, which draw the viewer into the scene.
In addition to his paintings, Friedrich’s creative process is further explored in an exhibition at the Museum of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs. This collection, featuring over 160 artworks, traces Friedrich’s development from his early to late works. A highlight is a previously unseen sketchbook that offers a deeper understanding of the artist’s meticulous approach to capturing nature. Friedrich’s dedication to detail and precision is evident in each drawing, reflecting the same values that guide the watchmakers at A. Lange & Söhne.
Wilhelm Schmid, CEO of A. Lange & Söhne, draws parallels between Friedrich’s artistry and the craft of precision watchmaking: “Caspar David Friedrich spent his entire life studying landscape painting, which he redefined with his outstanding craftsmanship and visionary perspective. His evocative imagery, which was quickly regarded as revolutionary, remains deeply moving today. Similarly, Ferdinand Adolph Lange, who founded the first watch manufacture in Glashütte in 1845, pursued precision watchmaking with the same passion. This shared dedication to detail and excellence continues to influence our work today.”
Schmid expressed his company’s pride in supporting the SKD in this significant celebration of Friedrich’s legacy: “We are delighted that the 250th anniversary of Caspar David Friedrich’s birth is being celebrated in Dresden and that we can support the State Art Collections in this fantastic project.”
This exhibition not only honors Caspar David Friedrich’s contributions to art but also reinforces Dresden’s historical significance as a center of artistic innovation. Visitors are invited to experience the timeless beauty and introspective depth of Friedrich’s work in the city that played such a crucial role in his creative life.
For more information, please visit ALange-Soehne.com.
