Caspar David Friedrich [Hardcover]

Werner Hofmann (Author), Mary Whittall (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2001

"Splendid monograph, the first of major proportions in nearly thirty years….ever thoughtful, opening the door to Friedrich's world that much wider."—Chicago Tribune

Werner Hofmann vividly demonstrates Caspar David Friedrich's extraordinary ability to reproduce the natural world in faithful detail, while at the same time imbuing it with spiritual and religious significance. Caught between the near and the distant, the finite and the infinite, his human figures find a space in which to engage in the thoughtful contemplation of nature and the divine.

Carefully placing the artist in a wider context, Hofmann examines contemporary judgments and influences on Friedrich's work. The beautiful illustrations include many of Friedrich's drawings and watercolors as well as over ninety of his works in oils. 193 illustrations, 150 in color.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Hofmann, director of the Kunsthalle in Hamburg from 1969 until 1990, presents a scholarly and thought-provoking discussion of the leading German Romantic artist of the 19th century. His well-written and -researched publication is the first major monograph on Friedrich in almost 30 years. Accompanied by large and beautiful reproductions of Friedrich's paintings and drawings (193 illustrations, 150 in color), Hofmann's text places Friedrich within the wider context of his time, offering comparisons with other artists, commentary from critics such as Goethe, and coverage of the social, political, and religious tides of 19th-century Europe. Writings by Friedrich are also included. Hofmann believes that Freidrich's major achievement is the development of "landscape as icon," that is, Friedrich's ability to depict the natural world in realistic detail while imbuing it with religious and spiritual importance. Poetic in and of itself, the book is written in the first person and is filled with meaningful and rich interpretations of Friedrich and his work. Recommended for all art libraries and special collections. Jennifer L.S. Moldwin, Detroit Inst. of Arts
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Well-written and -researched . . . filled with meaningful and rich interpretations of Friedrich and his work. -- Jennifer L. S. Moldwin, Library Journal, 1 March 2001

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 299 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson; 1 edition (January 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500092958
• ISBN-13: 978-0500092958
• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 10.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #59 in Books > Arts & Photography > Painting > Landscape