Evening

1798–1801

Studies at the Royal Academy in Copenhagen

Having decided to become an artist, Runge studies at the Copenhagen Academy under Jens Juel and Nicolai Abildgaard with the financial support of his brother Daniel; Caspar David Friedrich had studied there shortly before him. He draws from the nude and studies anatomy, geometry and perspective. Some accounts date the start of his studies to 1799.

1801

Meets Pauline Bassenge

In Dresden Runge meets the sixteen-year-old Pauline Bassenge, his future wife.

1801–1804

The Dresden Academy and the circle of Romantics

In 1801 Runge moves to Dresden and studies at the Academy under Anton Graff until 1804. He grows close to the “Dresden Romantics” — Caspar David Friedrich, Johann Gottfried Quistorp and Ludwig Tieck; Tieck introduces him to the mystical treatises of Jakob Böhme and to the ideas of Novalis.

14 – 19 November 1803

Meets Goethe in Weimar

On a trip to Weimar Runge meets Goethe at the house of Christian Gottlob von Voigt and visits the poet with Ludwig Tieck on 17 and 18 November; they discuss art and natural philosophy at length. It is the start of a friendly and working relationship based on their shared interest in color and art.

3 April 1804

Married: Pauline Runge

3 April 1804

Marries Pauline Bassenge

On 3 April 1804 Runge marries Pauline Susanne Bassenge (1785–1881) in Dresden and soon moves back to Hamburg with her; they have four children.