Caspar David Friedrich, Chalk Cliffs on Rügen, c. 1818. Stiftung Oskar Reinhart, Winterthur
I just watched Aguirre, the Wrath of God directed by Werner Herzog. An incredibly moving film. The most unusual aspect of the film is the contrast between the pathos, the Eldorado dreams and the flatness of death. There are no fights, no screams, instead people just perish, defeated by the arrows of the invisible enemy. For sure there is a link between the cinematographic genius of Werner Herzog and the high German romantic paintings of Caspar David Friedrich. I think there is a connection, especially with the Chalk Cliffs on Rügen.
Image published with permission of the Web Gallery of Art
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