The artwork, titled “Cross in the Mountains (Tetschen Altar)” by Caspar David Friedrich, was created in 1808 using oil on canvas. It is a notable piece within the Romanticism movement and is classified under the landscape genre. This masterpiece is currently housed in the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden, Germany.
The artwork portrays a serene and evocative mountain landscape at dusk. The central focus is the cross, positioned atop a rocky outcrop, silhouetted against a soft, diffuse light breaking through the clouded sky. Surrounding the cross are tall, dark fir trees which add to the somber and contemplative atmosphere. The upward-reaching rays of light suggest a divine presence, resonating with the spiritual and sublime themes of Romanticism. The composition is enclosed in an arched shape, reminiscent of an altar piece, emphasizing the sacred and reverent nature of the scene.
