The Painter Who Revolutionized Landscapes

[@yaboyjay7202]

I live in nothern Germany. Caspar David Friedrich's paintings are somehow special to me. Even though they're 150 years old, I feel like I know these landscapes, I know the fog, I know the woods, I know the seas Friedrich is depicting. It's like I'm living in the world he painted, not the other way around. Even though I'm not that into art, I'll always pause whenever I see a picture of Friedrich. If you like the tone Friedrich is depicting in his art, I highly recommend reading The Rider on the White Horse (Der Schimmelreiter) by Theodor Storm.

[@firsttosee7481]

@Emilio J Wieso? Das war gutes und lesbares Englisch. Oder meintest du den Schimmelreiter?

[@koraptd6085]

Denmark and Poland look alike in terms of the landscapes

[@mrbatman4robin]

@@koraptd6085 Especially the Danish islands Lolland and Falster just north of Rügen. Incidentally, Caspar David Friedrich studied in Copenhagen.

[@matthiass.19]

Vielen Dank für die Empfehlung. Hatte den Schimmelreiter nicht auf dem Schirm gehabt, ihn mir aber direkt nachdem ich deinen Kommentar gelesen hatte besorgt. Sehr gutes Buch und wie du sagst, passt es zu den Werken von CDF.

[@cliftonjames785]

Im American but I came across the painting of his, "the chasseur in the forest" and I absolutely fell in love with that painting. The dark, melancholy, cold feel of that painting resonated with me deeply even though I'm not into art. If you haven't seen that painting you should check it out. I love how he depicts the natural environment in all his paintings

[@arbazalware901]

What a start to the new year, a nerdwriter video

[@adonaiyah2196]

I would say this is THE nerdwriyer video. Honey, he has improved greatly improved and ditched the hyper analytical style for a nuanced realism

[@DannySullivanMusic]

for real dude. completely accurate

[@capuchinosofia4771]

Ikr? His videos are just... sublime!

[@jensentung]

Nerdwriter videos have the quality of the Sublime.

[@HistoryDose]

The thing I appreciate about Nerdwriter's content is that it never feels like a cookie cutter copy and paste of his previous videos. Each video stands on its own, with its own aesthetic, tone, etc.

[@Leon-ub8pe]

Bro he’s literally copied a bunch of peoples videos before lmao 💀🤦‍♂️

[@Clamorte1]

Me too. Beautiful yet precise and appllicable.

[@fariskhan7884]

@@Leon-ub8pe copied or drew inspiration from?? There's a big difference.

[@Leon-ub8pe]

@@fariskhan7884 both

[@fariskhan7884]

@@Leon-ub8pe can you name which? Not tryna start something, just genuinely curious.

[@wolfborn3973]

I had to pause at 1:45 to wrap my mind around how perfectly the lighting is done. Incredible.

[@vb2388]

The Nerd has risen to bring us content for the new year.. 2022 is starting off great 👍🏻

[@AxxLAfriku]

I am being humble when I am telling you that I am the most powerful strongest coolest smartest most famous greatest funniest Y*uTub3r of all time! That's the reason I have multiple girlfriends and I show them off all the time! Bye bye vb

[@sid6856]

@@AxxLAfriku WTF???

[@DannySullivanMusic]

your comment is _100%_ true!!

[@KidFresh71]

"Wanderer above the Sea of Fog" has always been amongst my very favorite paintings, and I had the pleasure of seeing it person on display in Hamburg. I'm not a super sophisticated fine art guy, yet found myself staring at this masterpiece for nearly an hour. Van Gogh's "Wheatfield with Crows" is the only other work of art to have this profound impression upon me. Thanks for bringing the brilliance of Caspar David Friedrich to light. Excellent work: subscribed.

[@isaamaandaa]

omg samee. i feel like the "Wanderer" painting encapsulates a sense of freedom.

[@tinselthread]

i highly recommend you to check out the "Elbsandstein Gebirge", its the landschape the painting was inspired by.

[@Techninjaspeaks]

Wow. I’m not into fine art but I love watching your breakdowns. Thanks, and happy holidays.

[@SuperReyand]

Perhaps now you get more curious … I really love this.

[@DannySullivanMusic]

agreed dude. absolutely correct dude

[@rolanddeschain6089]

His videos sparked an interest in paintings in me. Since then, it's been a wonderful discovery, analysis, and exploration.

[@neverhave]

A quote about Friedreich's work I think about often, "here is a man who has discovered the tragedy of landscape" I love Caspar's work so very, very much, nice to hear you talk about it. Something about his work always feels like it promises something just out of reach of what is depicted, the landscapes are desolate but they feel like they're calling you. Especially how often he uses frames within his composition, a ruined window or a circle of tree limbs, they feel like a portal that wants you to get closer! To stand next to the figures in the image. wanderer over the sea fog is also deeply overrated, give me one of his cathedral ruins any day

[@thewhatness]

What a great way to kick off the year. And what perfect subject matter to set the tone. Much love, Evan. Always an honor to see a notification from you.

[@DannySullivanMusic]

you're unequivocally true!!

[@agnieszkajakubowicz7485]

I remember looking at an art book as a young child. I stumbled upon the CDF "Wonderer" and the image and the feeling it gave me stayed with me my entire life... Thank you for this beautiful breakdown.

[@HiAndHello-w9l]

Had a similar experience. So Something about that painting stands out within the art book luckily I’ve now been able to see it in person and it is beautiful

[@cliftonjames785]

American here, I absolutely love his work. He's my favorite painter of all time. As someone who doesnt really like summer, but who loves the melancholy and terrifying beauty of winter and the gloom, his paintings really resonate with me. We can find the beauty in such hostile, humbling environments. His painting, "the chasseur in the forest", was my first ever painting of his that I had seen and I absolutely love it. I'm not even really into art, and I especially don't know much about art, but I love how his paintings can be loved by everyone

[@weissquaeul]

Caspar David Friedrich is also exceptional at painting the moon. It doesn't really come across in prints or in pictures on the internet, but in person, they're stunning. His moon is always really vibrant, and it looks like it's glowing, as if he captured actual moonlight.

[@iPariah]

Your works helped me open my eyes and heart back into art. I cannot thank you enough for these uploads.

[@docflights]

I always loved Friedrich, but I never was able to put it into words. His works defy standard comprehension

[@Vingul]

The sublime is inexplicable.

[@amritsharma5373]

When the world needs him the most, he returns.

[@robertosantana7472]

Yeah, nerdwriter is like that.

[@alasdairingham2095]

This couldn't have come at a better time! Currently writing an essay focusing on nature and the sublime :D

[@ramosbarajas]

Make sure to read the darkest Italy… the sublime is actually not as noble a concept as it appears…

[@alasdairingham2095]

@@ramosbarajas cheers! Sounds like an interesting read

[@soyoungsogone]

CDF is my favorite painter. The ending of this episode gave me goosebumps.

[@celestialsblues]

"Two Men Contemplating the Moon" is probably one of my favorite paintings of all time. This is such a great video on Friedrich's work

[@naomiweaver1855]

Oddly, I think there’s a comfort in his paintings. There’s a quiet, eternal sleep quality to them, I think.

[@isaamaandaa]

*the "Wanderer Above The Sea Of Fog" is honestly the most breathtakingly beautiful painting i've ever seen. the way the man was standing at the edge of the cliff, along with his cane looking out in the distance, at the haze-filled mountains just feels so liberating.* 🌫

[@DefektiveEnvy]

I was captivated by these paintings in Art History class. It is so “sublime” to revisit them after all this time in adult life, post-pandemic

[@valaraukar_595]

I live in Dresden now and I like how I always discover new and beautiful things about the city.

[@TheBawss90]

This is so amazing, it's exactly the type of nuances and feelings I admire in paintings I'm so glad you made me discover this artist!

[@_thomas1031]

Same here, Mate😄

[@chocolatbownie35]

this is not an analyses or a breakdown, this is a freakinf piece of art, pls never stop making these nerdwriter1

[@helloena]

Having just finished a semester in which separate classes discussed both romantic painters and romantic literature I’ve been trying to explain the emotion of the sublime to my friends and family for… a while. This is beautifully and deliciously well articulated. Thanks!

[@marcodekretser]

This video is absolutely groundbreaking for me. I could never quite pinpoint why so much of landscape photography has no meaning to me, and yet some just hit you in the stomach. It’s exactly this - the sublime. Your quote “the landscapes are not the subject of these canvases. The subject is the feeling he has in the presence of them” is beyond-words resonant with me. Brb i’m just going to make a print of it to stick on my desk. Thank you

[@trouts4]

It's a funny coincidence you uploaded this today because I talked about Casper David Friedrich on a hike today with a friend. We were on a cliff overlooking the shore and sea with fog below and ahead of us. It reminded the both of us of "Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog", a painting that we were introduced to in our school years. I remember when I was shown that painting. We were shown many paintings but not all had any real influence on me, but this one did. I still remember how my teacher taught us the concept of dualism, and how you could see it in the sky and the fog. It's no surprise that it's Friedrich's most famous. I'm not familiar with the rest of his works, but every single painting you showed in this video was beautiful and really exemplifies the feeling that I sometimes get when I'm in nature. I love that humbling and silencing feeling.

[@anteeru8110]

As a German studies major I suggest diving into 'the uncanny', also a very prevalent idea stemming from German Romanticism and popularized by Sigumund Freud, as it has informed so much of Lovecraftian horror and acts like the other side of the coin to the sublime. It has a huge role in understanding the eerieness of films like THE SHINING or Japanese Kwaidan.

[@СеваФавричников-т9ш]

My favourite painter!! As my friend once said: «If Hegel, Leibniz, Kant or Schelling were artists, their work would necessarily look like the paintings of Caspar David Friedrich»

[@pranakhan]

One of my favorite painters. Thank you covering his work with such a sense of grace.

[@felixmorgenstern2875]

As someone from the city where Friedrich was born and where he spent a lot of time I appreciate how important an artist he is considered internationally. Thank you for this small essay :)

[@rohitkembhavi9759]

I keep coming back to this video since I first saw it because it's so beautifully explained. It teleports you to a different imaginary yet believable world, FC David's world and Nerdwriter perfectly carries out his role as a guide. Thanks Nerdwriter for this beautiful video!

[@twiggledy5547]

I got to see Friedrich and a lot of other German Romantics at an exhibit in Berlin called "wanderlust". Been captivated ever since!

[@AlisonGresik]

For years, we had a reproduction of Friedrich's work "On a Sailing Ship" in our living room, a poster from a National Gallery of Canada exhibit. Thanks for this beautiful and accessible exploration of his work!

[@Styrophoamicus]

After watching this, I saw more of Friedrich's work and he is now my favourite painter.

[@lauragranger9813]

Thankyou for this presentation of the subject. I've always been intrigued by 'Wanderer'. Learning more about it and the artist was much appreciated. Maybe it's because I've always lived in the subtropics and have had a surfeit of garish, even lurid colour, and the aggressive sun, but something about these gelid landscapes beckons me with such a restful welcome, like the filling of a loss. Although it would without question have its own harshness and ferocity. I genuinely appreciated the video and the research and time you put into it. Not least because it also introduced me to three new tracks to add to my library. Beautiful backtrack selection. In all, it was, well, sublime. Thankyou.

[@ohlordy4567]

Wonderful essay! My favorite painting ever is “The Abbey in the Oakwood,” I think it draws a fine line between a somewhat unsettling yet somber atmosphere

[@CortlandtMatthews]

The painting at 1:06 definitely inspired a famous set piece in a beloved film featuring dinosaurs

[@marius100mark]

I am in love with your ability to convey the message of art in every form so well... I think it's rare that especially youtubers use filmmaking so effectively as a fo of expression. I really felt like I was there with the snow and wind effects, especially in the end 😊

[@sfwelles2712]

I went on vacation in Iceland and honestly it felt like being in his universe.

[@ehtuanK]

I'm pretty sure his mountainous paintings were also inspired by the Elbsandsteingebirge, since it is much easier to reach from Dresden than the Harz is and the paintings remind me more of it.

[@Resuarus]

Thank you for introducing me to his work. I love getting lost in the enormity of nature, and his work feels like a way to do that from home.

[@Rempath]

I just wanted to say that I find myself constantly returning to this video. I have watched all of your videos but for some reason this one stands out, the background music and sound mixed with the snow overlayed create a beautiful mood which makes this feel more like an experience than an essay. I find the paintings to be beautiful and i love the way you gave meaning to them without going into too much detail whilst also linking it to our current times. A timeless video, thank you

[@JvVolden]

I don’t think I’ve heard about Friedrich before this video, sadly; but his style reminds me a bit of the norwegian painter Theodor Kittelsen’s work, which I absolutely love. Great video, as always

[@ronmaest]

You’re a very talented person, Evan. Thank you for this.

[@KshitijPatil1]

"...winter is the most humbling season" maybe that's why the Starks were always weary of and respectful towards not only nature, but also other humans.

[@aarikk]

I will never forget seeing "Abby in the Oakwood" in real life. I came back to the museum to see it over and over again. What I love about good painters is that they share a feeling with you - a feeling beyond time. That's what CDF does (and some other artists as well such as Van Gogh for example). For a moment, you share the experience of being human with this person. That's what is so beautiful about CDF.

[@tarasmikhailenko8721]

I just recently hanged a replica of Wanderer above the Sea on my wall and now Nerdwriter releases this breakdown.

[@marioarias1899]

Whenever I recognize or love the subject of a Nerdwritter video before seeing it, it fills me with so much joy

[@claguna92]

I keep having a reccuring nightmare of me running through huge empty cities. This video helped me make sense of this nightmare finally.

[@Manar_]

That opening shot of the snow :') same one used in the Holocene - bon Iver video essay that introduced me to this channel all those years ago and had me instantly fall in love

[@markvenaglia1548]

You have revived the most relevant depiction and discussion of Sublime in online painting discussions AND provided gems of insight into one of my heroes. Many thanks.

[@janeodee1677]

Never have I heard someone describe the feeling of what it's like to be outside and witness the sublime so beautifully. I feel it too, sometimes even on just a simple walk. I try to share it doesn't always connect with everyone because it's a perspective, either you feel it or you dont. But when it can be shared with another it is a wonderful thing to behold and a memory you never forget together.

[@alvanosm]

I was introduced to Casper in college and I’ve loved his work for 20 years. Really happy you circled around him and reflected upon his work in our times. Well done

[@ConstantXplorer]

His work seems quite ethereal..and yes sublime. Some of his images also feel apocalyptic and desolate. Yet eerily, oddly beautiful.

[@tobi_667]

Btw many locations of Friedrich's paintings can still be visited today, like the Königsstuhl on the island of Rügen in northern Germany.

[@claudius2049]

Man now i really miss the art history class, where we also analysed Fridrichs work!

[@EarnestBunbury]

Great video! What’s interesting about German romanticism, is, that many of its most prominent figures, later disregarded the movement, like johann Wolfgang Goethe, Germany’s national poet. With one of his early works, „die Leiden des Jungen Werthers“, he had created a key work for the movement, only to distance himself, later. The German romanticism has definitely left it’s mark, though it is oftentimes a dark one. As mostly the undemokratisch parts of German society were drawn towards it.

[@darke2]

Dude, you just speak to my soul and I'm crying of joyment. This day was the first snowfall in virginia and also my first snowfall of my life, i was having those thoughts because I'm from Perú, i just moved cuz of work and it was so mesmerazing. Nature it's incredible and i can't wrap my mind of everything it does, just like you said. Thank you for my making this a humbling experience

[@derstilleabonnierer]

Favorite essayist makes a video about my favorite painter :') a great start to the year, danke

[@JozefLucifugeKorzeniowski]

I saw his work "abbey in the oakwood" flipping through an art coffee table book. I was absentmindedly just going through the pages but when I saw that painting I was transfixed for maybe 10 minutes experience various forms of synesthesia as the painting evoked so many feelings and half rememberances that were previously buried under the vale of my subconscious. the specifics of what it stirred in me are beyond my ability to describe. that's what good art should do to you.

[@Masiyooo]

the influence on contemporary concept art is palpable, and current concept art is what greatly influence the shot composition of the many wide landscape shots in Dune

[@regiknapikova8274]

woww, excellent!!! Thank you and I hope you'll continue creating essays about paintings because they are very educational

[@laurelsilberman5705]

Ugh I LOVE this video and these paintings. Your videos about painters and art history are some of my very favorite videos of yours.

[@Tunality]

4:43 this painting immediately made me think of the Land of the Lustrous anime and it’s Lunarians. His subsequent discussion of the definition of the Sublime including the idea of being in terror of something more vast than ourselves and being incapable or wrapping our minds around something, reminded me a lot of the mood and atmosphere that the show imparts and the lunarians themselves.

[@sergiotellez9006]

This video reminded me about my trip to canada, and the vast landscape it is beautiful, but also truly scary sublime !

[@BariumCobaltNitrog3n]

His paintings gradually stir feelings of inexorable and infinite sadness. Perhaps because it also rouses the sense of mortality and envy that the planet will be here long after I'm gone but is indifferent to its longevity.

[@AYstrength]

My favorite painter! Thank you!

[@Jarheadjoes]

I lived in Dresden for a long time. You can visit Saxon Switzerland and walk the painters way. It's over 100km long and after that you definitely understand the true genius of these painters. It's a really breathtaking experience and takes you to beautiful places.

[@kx2158]

Caspar David-Friedrich has been one of my favourite artists for quite a while! Glad to see he’s getting the attention he deserves, sublime video! ;)

[@plica06]

I liked the snow effects in this one !

[@Skillens19]

I'm so glad I stumbled upon you! This video is so well-done. I cannot wait to show my kids as Friedrich is the artist we're studying this term. Thank you so much!!

[@emilybarton3515]

Have you ever considered doing a video on Bob Ross? He may not have revolutionized landscapes but he significantly changed how landscapes are painted, understood, and appreciated by the people who watched him.

[@schwaar]

This video inspired a whole new series of artworks for me. Thank you for being a spark of creativity!

[@Julia-gj5yt]

What a beautiful gift to wake up to! Thank you, Evan, happy new year!

[@theinfodump8572]

Abbey in the forest is my favorite painting. Was glad to see this video.

[@PenJahattt]

The Sea Of Ice (4:44) has got be my favorite piece; came to know of it from an album cover.

[@TheLastingFinish]

One of my favorite painters and my favorite Era of art. The ability to sweep a viewer of the art into a feeling is indescribable

[@Soguwe]

In school, we only learned to call this period "Romantik". It never even occurred to me that people outside of Germany would have to specify it to be German Romanticism. That's so weird

[@jonass.6573]

Yeah, it has struck me as well. Do you know what the German word for "sublime" is?

[@Soguwe]

@@jonass.6573 the most accurate translation would probably be "erhaben" It's not nearly the whole story, but that's just the German language for ya ; )

[@alXmarkW]

I love watching every one of your videos, especially the ones with painting and art!

[@Nono-hk3is]

"The charming part of the winter" ... "The endless months" ... Oof you nailed it.

[@justina3901]

Woah! You just introduced me to an artist whose art I'm now absolutely dying to see more of. Beautiful art and excellent video as always :)

[@Persiaking10]

Caspar David Friedrich's landscapes were the only ones to ever move me, truly amazing!

[@CaroCoffe]

yours videos are like dynamic poems, thank you. Really inspiring

[@user-it6gl1vv7v]

its incredible how the ending sentence to every video is sooo great

[@matthewgonzalez2727]

As usual, brilliant work, and, as usual, I have another artist to research further, take notes from, and adore. Never stop, Nerdwriter.

[@Basti1910]

Friedrichs pieces are just so calming and somehow peaceful. While there still are humans in there, they are 'put in their place' and are tiny compared to the nature. How it should be. Thats why i liked his paintings the most since i first saw them in school. A truly great artist.

[@LrnecBuma]

I first saw the Wanderer in Stewart lees stand up show "Content provider" where he climbs a mountain of content in order to find something real and sublime

[@samfilmkid]

Just as I was thinking how this paintings reminded me of numerous compositions in "Dune," is exactly when he mentions the similarities!

[@franmndz7]

Loved this video. Friedrich has always been my favorite artist. Thanks!

[@lu.n000]

What an excellent video! I am amazed by the way you describe art, it is absolutely fascinating

[@Charlie-Charlot]

These paintings are like a cross between Gustave Doré and Edward Hopper

[@482man]

My favourite painting Ive ever seen is a landscape im the SMK gallery, it showed a ruckenfigur standing next to a old roman column gazing upon a (at the time modern) village. Instead of the figure pulling me into the painting I gained an awareness of the gallery around me. Like the figure I was standing next to the great works of art of the past while surrounded by the present. I was apart of the story of the painting

[@guyroach]

After the first year of the pandemic was Edward Hopper. After the second year, it's Casper David Friedrich. If we have another year, my mental state will be a Francis Bacon painting.

[@Tararu3500]

Thank you for this video essay. Standing before a CDF painting is a noble experience.

[@terryamstutz2028]

Another wonderful video. Winter is my favorite season for the very reasons you mention: a reminder that I am not in control. nature in all it's starkness and brutality is so beautiful. Truly a painter for our times as humanity struggles with the pandemic reminding us we are not in control but can only blindly fumble forward. And just like winter is a season that will pass - the pandemic too will pass even if we do not see the end at this time.

[@sese2505]

Very touching portrait of CDF and his view of our landscapes in Germany. Thank you.

[@kootepe]

This is kind of grabbing to a pretty unrelated part of the video but... You said that now starts the part of winter where everything starts to turn to dark slush. At least here in Finland it feels like proper winter starts after christmas these days. Amazing video as always. Somehow something I don't really think at all or view as pretty boring, you manage to make it seem like the most interesting thing in the world.

[@dionysianapollomarx]

Great video. I have to regularly take time out of my monthly schedule to keep watching these thoughtful few minutes, and maybe binge a few more.