Caspar David Friedrich | Hermann Nitsch

Intervention

When Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840) presented his painting “Das Kreuz im Gebirge” to the public at Christmas in 1808 a fierce debate broke out about the work. The criticism was particularly inflamed by the fact that Frederick presented a landscape painting as an altarpiece. Today, this attack is hardly comprehensible.

“Kreuzwegstation” by Hermann Nitsch was created in 1961 and is one of the artist’s first pouring pictures. His use of blood as a material in art refers, among other things, to its position in Christian beliefs. Jesus is born as a human being to atone for the guilt of mankind with his blood. The abstract artistic form is in contact with post-war modernism. Nitsch’s artistic practice especially his Orgies Mysteries Theatre is still controversially discussed today.

Both works now enter into a dialogue at the Albertinum in Dresden. The artists – Caspar David Friedrich and Hermann Nitsch – show a new, very individual modern view on religion at the same time. On the one hand, they deal with the traditions of Christian motifs, on the other, they break with them.