Greifswald in Moonlight

'Greifswald in Moonlight' depicts the Friedrich's birthplace in Pomerania, on the Baltic coast: bathed in an even, gauzy moonlight, the ancient university town assumes an almost ethereal appearance. Nearly the same year, the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, wrote, 'The moon is sublime and moves us … because it stays aloof from all our earthly activities, seeing all, yet taking no part in it', he was attempting to define why the earth's silvery night-time companion has held such enigma and allure for mankind, and above all for painters. And this is what Friedrich loved.