1834 (ca.), Caspar David Friedrich, Neubrandenburg on Fire -- Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) (special exhibition)
From the museum label: This unfinished canvas reveals the extensive preliminary underdrawing that structures Friedrich's paintings. His precision is especially apparent in the details that embellish his variation on the Neubrandenburg skyline. Below the buildings, the artist began applying the colors that he would build up, layer by layer, to portray the road and fields. In the completed picture, sunbeams, clouds, flames, and smoke would have combined in an eye-catching display. No major fire occurred in the city during Friedrich's lifetime, but he may have had in mind documented disasters from 1631, 1676, and 1737. The contrast of natural and human-made light was a favorite Romantic motif.
1834 (ca.), Caspar David Friedrich, Neubrandenburg on Fire -- Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) (special exhibition)
From the museum label: This unfinished canvas reveals the extensive preliminary underdrawing that structures Friedrich's paintings. His precision is especially apparent in the details that embellish his variation on the Neubrandenburg skyline. Below the buildings, the artist began applying the colors that he would build up, layer by layer, to portray the road and fields. In the completed picture, sunbeams, clouds, flames, and smoke would have combined in an eye-catching display. No major fire occurred in the city during Friedrich's lifetime, but he may have had in mind documented disasters from 1631, 1676, and 1737. The contrast of natural and human-made light was a favorite Romantic motif.