The Metropolitan Museum of Art is currently hosting a retrospective of Caspar David Friedrich, the prince of Romanticist kitsch. This exhibition features over 75 paintings and sepia drawings, showcasing Friedrich’s iconic works that capture the essence of the Romantic era.
In today’s tumultuous times, Friedrich’s art resonates with a neo-Romantic moment, mirroring the societal transitions and yearning for a connection to nature that we experience. Just like the Romantics of the past, we too are seeking solace in the sublime and rejecting the cold rationality of modern life.
Friedrich’s use of Rückenfiguren (figures depicted from behind) in his paintings invites viewers to immerse themselves in the awe-inspiring landscapes he created. The figures, though small in comparison to the grandeur of nature, serve as proxies for our own contemplation of the sublime. From the warm glow of a crescent moon to the haunting stillness of a rocky seacoast, Friedrich’s works evoke a sense of wonder and introspection.
But what exactly is “the sublime”? Friedrich’s art, like Nietzsche’s philosophy, challenges traditional notions of beauty and reason. While Kant viewed the sublime as a way for humans to assert dominance over nature, Nietzsche believed in embracing beauty above reason. In a world where nostalgia can quickly turn into dangerous nationalism, Friedrich’s art serves as a cautionary tale of the power of demagoguery.
One of Friedrich’s most famous paintings, “Wanderer above the Sea of Fog,” captures a moment of transcendence or perhaps foreboding, depending on how one interprets it. As we navigate through uncertain times, Friedrich’s art reminds us of the fragile balance between humanity and nature.
“Caspar David Friedrich: The Soul of Nature” is a must-see exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offering a glimpse into the timeless beauty and philosophical depth of Friedrich’s works. Visit the museum before May 11 to experience the magic of Romanticism through the eyes of one of its greatest masters.
