The Northern Sea in Moonlight

Caspar David Friedrich is generally viewed as a key personality of European romanticism. In his paintings he often drew inspiration from České Středohoří (Central Bohemian Uplands) and Krkonoše (Giant Mountains). The Northern Sea in Moonlight was acquired by the National Gallery in Prague quite shortly after it was painted. In 1824, the painting was presented at a Prague exhibition where in addition to Friedrich’s paintings, the works by the Norwegian landscape painter Johan Christian Dahl also appeared. The Society of Patriotic Friends of Art bought the painting for their picture gallery back then. The painting is a typical example of Friedrich’s prime oeuvre; the artist’s rendering of light is rather noteworthy, giving the painting depth and mystery.