Caspar David Friedrich: The Soul of Nature
Feb 08, 2025 to May 11, 2025
Official Site
The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents "Caspar David Friedrich: The Soul of Nature," the first major retrospective in the United States dedicated to the renowned German Romantic artist. Opening on February 8, 2025, and running through May 11, the exhibition will showcase more than 75 paintings and drawings, offering a rare opportunity to experience Friedrich's evocative landscapes firsthand. Known for his deep exploration of the natural world, Friedrich’s work captures the intersection of nature, spirituality, and personal reflection, defining the ideals of Romanticism that continue to resonate today. The exhibition follows extensive celebrations of Friedrich’s 250th birthday in Europe and will feature unprecedented loans from major German institutions, including the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin, the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, and the Hamburger Kunsthalle.
Among the highlights of the exhibition are iconic masterpieces such as Wanderer above the Sea of Fog and Monk by the Sea, which will be seen in the United States for the first time. The retrospective will trace Friedrich’s career from his early years in Dresden through his artistic maturity, exploring themes of solitude, the sublime, the passage of time and morality. The Met will also bring together all five Friedrich paintings owned by American museums, situating them within the broader context of his oeuvre. A selection of works on paper will further illustrate the artist’s innovative approach to composition and perspective. Co-curated by Alison Hokanson and Joanna Sheers Seidenstein, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on Friedrich’s artistic legacy and its enduring relevance in contemporary discussions of nature and the human experience.
Image: Caspar David Friedrich (German, 1774–1840); Wanderer above the Sea of Fog ca. 1817, Oil on canvas 37 3/8 × 29 1/2 in. (94.8 × 74.8 cm); Hamburger Kunsthalle, on permanent loan from the Stiftung Hamburger, Kunstsammlungen, acquired 1970 (HK-5161); Photo by Elke Walford
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