divine creation to be set against the artifice of human civilization Caspar David Friedrich (September 5 1774 - May 7 1840) was a landscape painter of the nineteenth-century German Romantic movement which he is now considered most important painter. A and draughtsman best known for his later allegorical landscapes feature contemplative figures silhouetted against night skies morning mists barren trees Gothic ruins. His primary interest as an artist contemplation nature often symbolic anti-classical work seeks to convey spiritual experiences life. born in Greifswald northern Germany 1774. He studied Copenhagen until 1798 before settling Dresden. came age during period when across Europe growing disillusionment with over-materialistic society led new appreciation spiritualism. This expressed through reevaluation natural world artists such Friedrich J. M. W. Turner John Constable sought depict nature . Although renowned lifetime fell from favour second half nineteenth century. As moved towards modernisation urgency brought its art Friedrich's depictions stillness were seen products bygone age. rediscovery began 1906 when exhibition 32 paintings sculptures held Berlin. During 1920s appreciated by Expressionists 1930s 1940s Surrealists Existentialists frequently drew on work. Today icon international importance. In 1935 Horst accepted teaching position at school Reichenau town today Bogatynia Poland time located province Saxony. Settling Reichenau drastic change family accustomed vivid cultural life larger Dresden.3 Yet it also move would keep family largely safe coming war. late conscripted into army captured Allied forces detained prisoner war Germany's defeat. 1946 released returned who had again relocated this Waltersdorf village Czech border. The post-war years caused difficulties Richter many others. Horst’s return not that war-hero. Commenting life reflected: 'Horst shared father's fate ... nobody wanted them.'4 interview 2004 added: 'we so alienated we didn't know how deal each other.'5 former membership National Socialist Party all teachers been obliged join under Nazi regime made difficult him teaching. eventually ended up working textile mill nearby Zittau finding post administrator distance learning programme educational institution Dresden.6 has remarked early mixture fondness frustration sadness excitement. reminisced about house born Grossenhainer Strasse Dresden: 'it far original Circus Sarrasani building where – young boy I could see elephant stalls cellar windows. remember my great-grandmother's sewing box armadillo skin man falling ladder something that according parents only seen.'7 Not much documented Richter's but talked Waltersdorf: 'we village automatically outsider. couldn't speak dialect on.'8 1942 because turned 10 old required ‘Pimpfen’ mandatory organisation children prepared them Hitler Youth. Later attended grammar Zittau dropped out. described 'a highly gifted child notoriously bad school'9 Dietmar Elger noting 'he even got poor grades drawing.'10 attending vocational instead studying stenography bookkeeping Russian. While too be drafted army Second World War nonetheless deep impact Richter. experienced economic hardship personal loss: Hildegard's brothers Rudi Alfred sister Marianne died consequence 'It sad mother's brothers battle. First one then other. I'll never forget women screamed'11 recalls. suffered mental health problems starved death psychiatric clinic.12 Even though Waltersdorf spared extensive bombing Dresden exposed to sheltered. Speaking Jan-Thorn Prikker said: 'the retreating soldiers convoys low-flying Russian planes shooting refugees trenches weapons lying around everywhere artillery broken down cars. Then invasion Russians ransacking rapes huge camp us kids sometimes barley soup.'13 child military fascinated Richter: 'When soldiers went them.'14 explained Storr: 'when you're twelve old little understand ideological hocus- pocus.'15 remembers playing woods trenches friends forgotten rifles they found around: 'I thought great. fascinated like kids.'16 bombings enduring impression 'in night everyone out onto street our 100 kilometres away. being bombed 'now moment!'17 Following Potsdam agreement end war area lived Soviet control. War profoundly changed face country into lasting effect education artistic practice. 1 Elger Gerhard Richter Life Painting (translated Elizabeth Solaro) University Chicago Press London 2009 p.4. 2 Interview Robert Storr conducted assistance Catharina Manchanda April 21-23 2001. Cited Forty Years Museum Modern Art New York 2002 p.19. adds: recalls ordinary household struggling cope extraordinary pressures Socialism'. 3 describes drab locale steeped heavy industry' p.5. 4 Storr. 5 Jan Thorn-Prikker 2004. Text Thames & Hudson p.465. 6 footnote 6 p.358. 7 p.466. 8 p.375. 9 Jürgen Harten ed. Bilder Paintings 1962-1985 p.9. p.7. 11 pp.466-467. 12 p.6. 13 14 Anna Tilroe 1987. Ibid. p.197. 15 16 17