Table of Contents

The Painter and the Zeitgeist • I. Friedrich in his Time • II. Three Key Works: 1. The Tetschen Altar 2. The Monk by the Sea 3. The Abbey in the Oak Wood • III. Public Life and Private Life • IV. The ‘Obscure Total Idea’ • V. From Religious Intention to Free Interpretation

Promotional Information

A thought-provoking monograph, hailed by Frank Whitford in the Sunday Times as ‘the best book about this fascinating artist that I’ve ever read’

About the Author

Werner Hofmann was born in Vienna. He was Director of the Kunsthalle, Hamburg, from 1969 to 1990 and has also held guest professorships at Berkeley, Columbia and Harvard universities. He has published numerous books on the art of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Reviews

'Excellent' - Art Review

'An attractive and thoughtful introduction to Friedrich, Dr Hofmann’s monograph is a rich lode of ideas and perceptions on this compelling painter' - The Art Newspaper

'Werner Hofmann instructively relates the paintings to Friedrich’s life and times. His text is elegant and clear and the works are beautifully reproduced … the best book about this fascinating artist that I’ve ever read' - Frank Whitford

'A beautifully illustrated survey … a real eye-opener' - Time Out