The artwork titled “Adolf Gottlieb Friedrich, Reading,” created by Caspar David Friedrich in 1802, belongs to the Romanticism art movement and is classified as a portrait.
In this artwork, an elderly man is depicted engrossed in reading a book. The figure is seated at a table, his body slightly bent forward as he peruses the pages of the open book he holds in both hands. The subject’s attire appears modest and functional, appropriate for an intellectual pursuit. The textured background, executed in fine, meticulous lines, adds depth and focus to the central figure, while the overall monochromatic tone imbues the scene with a sense of serenity and introspection. This detailed depiction, marked by its simplicity and emotional resonance, typifies the Romantic era’s emphasis on personal reflection and the sublime.
