
Caspar David FriedrichDeutschland, 1774–1840Darf man es sehen?
Öffentlich ausgestellt. Wer dafür bürgt, steht unten.
1808–1809
The quarrel with Ramdohr: can a landscape stand on an altar?
The altarpiece is generally coldly received but becomes Friedrich’s first painting to win wide publicity: friends defend it publicly, while the critic Basilius von Ramdohr publishes a long article challenging the use of landscape in a religious context. In 1809 Friedrich answers with a programme comparing the rays of the evening sun to the light of the Holy Father — the only time he recorded a detailed interpretation of his own work.
1810
The Prussian Crown Prince buys two paintings
The Prussian Crown Prince buys two of Friedrich’s paintings, and in 1810 the artist is elected a member of the Berlin Academy.
1810
Meets Goethe
In 1810 Friedrich meets Goethe, who rightly appreciates his work and introduces him to the artistic circles of Germany.