Solitary Tree 1822

Caspar David Friedrich's 'Solitary Tree' is a landscape painting, a romantic meditation on nature's power. The dominant image, the solitary oak, is a symbol of endurance and strength, yet also of vulnerability with its dead branches reaching skyward. We see echoes of this stoic tree in classical art. Think of the ancient oak at Dodona, Greece, where oracles divined the future from the rustling of its leaves. Friedrich's tree, however, is more than a symbol of wisdom. It embodies the German concept of *Sehnsucht*: a longing for the unattainable, a deep-seated yearning that pervades the Romantic soul. This yearning is palpable. The tree, standing alone against the vast landscape, evokes feelings of solitude and introspection. It's a mirror reflecting our own existential questions. Friedrich taps into the collective unconscious, reminding us of our transient existence and the eternal power of nature. It's a visceral, emotional landscape that transcends mere visual representation. The tree is a constant across time and space, resonating with our innermost selves.