Winter Landscape

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.