FRIEDRICH, Caspar David
(b. 1774, Greifswald, d. 1840, Dresden)

Morning in the Riesengebirge

1810-11
Oil on canvas, 108 x 170 cm
Nationalgalerie, Berlin

With his friend Kersting he had made a tour of the mountainous area near Dresden known as 'Saxon Switzerland', in the summer of 1810. Morning in the Riesengebirge, painted shortly afterwards, is another exposition of his theme of the cross on a peak. It may be seen as a sort of continuation of the Tetschen Altar. The planes of earth and sky, representing the bodily and the infinite, are bridged by the crucifix, lit by the morning sun.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 5 minutes):
Edvard Grieg: Peter Gynt Suite No 1, Op, 46 ('Morning Mood')