Caspar David Friedrich
We continue our special month with the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden and their marvelous collection. :) Enjoy!
The inscription on the boat in the foreground "Maxn. v. Speck" was initially read as an artist's signature before the painting was recognized as a work by Friedrich himself. In keeping with the symbolic character of his landscape depictions, the painter's seascapes also include parables of human life. Sailing boats leave the protective harbor and set out on the perilous journey of life, finally returning to the safe haven of their origins. In fact, the inscription is a reference to the art collector Maximilian Speck von Sternburg in Lützschena near Leipzig, for whom Friedrich painted the picture. The abbreviated name appears on the rowing boat in front, which is already aground in the sinking light of day—a "ship of life" that has arrived, allegorically, at the destination of its journey. The death allegory, however, is not a symbol of final hopelessness, for the end of life also means entrance into divine eternity. In a seemingly endless sequence, the sailing boats strive out of the vastness of the sea towards the harbor that is very close to us. The silently peaceful evening atmosphere with the crescent of the waxing moon almost hidden behind veils of clouds and the strong color effect of the painting in the peculiarly solemn sound of intense tones of blue-violet reinforce the impression of a Christian-religious thought picture of meditative seriousness.
To all Eastern Christians: Happy Easter everyone!
If you love Caspar David Friedrich works, check out our super-high quality print with his most famous masterpiece in our Shop.
P.S. Are you fascinated by this enigmatic work by Caspar David Friedrich? Check out his 10 most famous works. Stunning! :O