Woman Seated under a Spider's Web (Melancholy)

Currently not on view

Woman Seated under a Spider's Web (Melancholy)

c. 1803

Caspar David Friedrich (German, 1774–1840) Woodblock cut by the artist's brother Christian Friedrich (German, 1779–1843)

Friedrich’s reputation as one the great artists of the Romantic period derives from the haunting character of his luminous landscape paintings from the 1820s and 1830s, many of which include enigmatic figures seen from behind and staring off into space. This early work already is infused with the poetic reverie we encounter in his later images—in this case, a mournful meditation of the brevity of life.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Titles:

Woman Seated under a Spider's Web (Melancholy)

Date:

c. 1803

Artists:

Caspar David Friedrich (German, 1774–1840) Woodblock cut by the artist's brother Christian Friedrich (German, 1779–1843)

Medium:

Woodcut

Dimensions:

Image: 6 3/4 × 4 3/4 inches (17.1 × 12.1 cm) Sheet: 9 9/16 × 7 5/8 inches (24.3 × 19.4 cm)

Classification:

Prints

Credit Line:

Purchased with the SmithKline Beckman Corporation Fund, 1993

Accession Number:

1993-128-1

Geography:

Made in Dresden, Germany, Europe

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Currently not on view