Caspar David Friedrich: Rediscovered in 1906

In 1906, an exhibition opened at the Nationalgalerie in Berlin that catapulted Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840) back into the public eye: the German Century Exhibition provided an overview of art in German-speaking countries from the period from 1775 to 1875. Also represented was a certain Caspar David Friedrich, a Romantic painter who was famous during his lifetime but who was almost unknown 60 years after his death. At the beginning of the 20th century, his paintings had a decidedly modern effect, and his staging of light and atmosphere earned him a reputation as one of the pioneers of modernism. In the following decades, Friedrich was misused as a kind of showcase artist for National Socialism and fell into oblivion for a second time after 1945, until he became more popular again from the 1970s onwards. To mark the 250th anniversary of his birth, the Alte Nationalgalerie is bringing together around 60 paintings and 50 drawings from around the world for the exhibition Caspar David Friedrich. Infinite Landscapes. It takes visitors back to the early 20th century and examines why Friedrich suddenly captivated the masses so long after his death. The latest research findings on Friedrich's painting technique will also be presented. The exhibition opens on April 19 and runs until August 4.

The anniversary year 2024 is characterized by three major exhibitions on Friedrich. In addition to the Nationalgalerie, the Hamburger Kunsthalle and the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden will present independent exhibitions. The three museums house the world's most important collections of works by the painter. They are also collaborating with the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for the exhibition Caspar David Friedrich: The Soul of Nature, which is scheduled to open on February 7, 2025.