Two Men Contemplating the Moon, Caspar David Friedrich, circa 1825–30

Two men contemplating the moon artist: caspar david friedrich (german, greifswald 1774–1840 dresden) date: ca. 1825–30 medium: oil on canvas dimensions: 13 3/4 x 17 1/4 in. (34. 9 x 43. 8 cm) classification: paintings credit line: wrightsman fund, 2000 these two figures are seen from behind so that the viewer may participate in their communion with nature. They have been identified as friedrich, at right, and his friend and disciple august heinrich (1794–1822). Fascination with the moon ran high among the german romantics, who regarded the motif as an object of pious contemplation. This is the third version of one of friedrich’s most famous compositions, of which the first was painted during heinrich’s lifetime (1819; gemäldegalerie, dresden) and the second soon after his death (ca. 1824; alte nationalgalerie, berlin). Object Type: painting. Genre: genre art. Date: circa 1825–30. Place of creation: Germany. Dimensions: height: 34.9 cm (13.7 in) ; width: 43.8 cm (17.2 in). Medium: oil on canvas. Collection: Metropolitan Museum of Art. Series Title: Two men contemplating the Moon. Two Men Contemplating the Moon - Caspar David Friedrich