The Ruin of Kalsmunt near Wetzlar. Ruin on a Mountain, View across a Broad River Valley. A Couple Reading in a Meadow in the Foreground 1805

"The Ruin of Kalsmunt near Wetzlar" (1805) by Christian Friedrich is a romantic landscape painting depicting a sweeping view of a river valley, with a prominent ruined castle perched atop a hill in the distance. The foreground features a pastoral scene with a couple reading in a meadow. This artwork showcases Friedrich's talent for capturing the serene beauty of nature, with meticulous attention to detail and a masterful use of light and shadow. This painting is a testament to the popularization of the romantic landscape style in the early 19th century, which emphasized the sublime and evocative power of nature.