The wanderer in the sea of fog reminds me of contemplating your past and future, both admiring and lamenting the pain and loneliness you’ve suffered. But realizing the big picture is beautiful because of those moments
The wanderer has a sense of confidence. Even standing above this massive awe inspiring land of mystery in front of him, I feel he knows he’s ready for what ever comes next.
My friend had the painting hanging above his bed and I remember always being encapsulated by it's imagery. My friend would later run his car into a semi truck after battling depression for years. A battle I didn't even know was taking place. Now everytime I see the painting Wanderer above the Sea of Fog I think of my friend. Whenever I think of my friend I think of the Wanderer above the Sea of Fog. They are both forever tethered in my mind.
Depression is a silent killer, we try our best but sometimes it still sneaks past us, my most sincerest condolences for you and your friends family, i wish you all find peace❤
To me this painting is like being in your 20s you've lived enough to be able to ponder on your past and have retrospect but you're also young, so you can look to the future as well.
To me the most important part of the painting is that the character is already standing on top of a mountain. That coupled with the sea of fog and how the whole composition converges to the character and what's literally **ahead of him** That feels like that part in Vagabond where he's climbed a whole mountain and he's contemplating all the other peaks he could also surmount. Basically "I've accomplished this much, imagine how much more I can do"
Honestly it hardly takes a person in their 20s to be in that situation. The future is nearly always full of potential if we have imagination and daring.
I've been slowly making my way through your work, and I must say, you've created one of the finest video essay channels I've ever seen. It takes me back to when channels like Every Frame A Painting were establishing the form. What you have here is art, and it deserves to be appreciated as such. Thank you for your passion, dedication, and tenacity, and I look forward to seeing how you evolve in the future. Cheers 🍻
Fell in love with Caspar David Friedrich when I had to do a presentation on his painting moonrise over the sea in 12th grade. For me the wanderer is symbol of contemplating all the uncertainties in life, dealing with depressive thoughts but hoping to someday see past the fog, revealing the beauty of life itself and finally finding meaning. I find it fascinating how your interpretation of art can drastically change over the years, my current interpretation only came when I drew my own version of this painting during my stay in a mental clinic after a suicide attempt. It's why I love art, your interpretation of the works often reveal more about yourself then about the painter. Anyways, awesome video!
I see neither the beginning nor end of the journey here, I see the man in the middle of his adventure. Full of awe, pride and maybe a little fear. Unquestionably a masterpiece
This is so wild to me - I clicked on your Arthur video and greatly enjoyed it as a kid who grew up watching it nearly every day of elementary school and even into high school! But I've been going through a lot in a very stagnant moment in my life and I bought a print of this painting impulsively a few days ago because it struck me deeply without knowing any of its history. So seeing this as your last thumbnail made me go oh shit! Your interpretation felt like everything that hit me and drew me to it. Thank you for the clarity.
I am a land steward for an Ohio land trust. I get to wander over land in Eastern Ohio, from farm fields to wetlands to forests and stream corridors. This painting reminds me of each first time I walk a new property. The excitement of walking into the unknown! And, I always use a walking stick... (Cut from the forest, because I occasionally leave the stick against a tree and walk off...) Thanks for sharing.
@@jeddy681 In 2004, at the age of 41, I went back to school, earned a degree in environmental science & served 2 unpaid internships, After graduation, I served a season at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and during that time, one of the internship sites, a small local land trust contacted me about a grant funded watershed coordinator job. I was hired at the end of 2008 and we merged with a much larger land trust. I worked to complete my watershed action plan and also worked as a land steward for the watershed area. After finishing the action plan, I transitioned into full time as a land steward and now I have 224 properties in eastern Ohio. Thanks for asking.
I've always loved this painting! When I see it I don't register the man as a person standing before me but that I am him and charing his experience. When I see it I feel the sort of spiritual freedom you can feel when you see fantastic landscapes. Like "I get to take part in all of this that is so much greater than me! I own it and it owns me, in all the way's that are humbling and in none of the way's that corrupts."
I remember having to analyze this piece in school. Not in arts class but in German class because of how well it captures the literary epoch of romanticism and it's longing for nature and even the expression of emotion and individualism through fantastical landscapes. This video would've been very helpful back then.
I like to think about the painting not as a start or end of a journey, but rather a brief moment in life where you passed some hard moments, like in the middle of a hike, only to arrive at a peak, take a break to admire the beauty and hardships of life, always looking forward to it. It also makes me wonder what is behind the wonderer, where dis he came from? How did he manage to get there?
The Wanderer over a Sea of Fog makes me reflect on The Fool tarot card- to me, they both symbolize the spirit of someone ready to embark on their life’s journey framed by the world around them. New beginnings and a sense of confidence and calm in the unknown are represented in both.
As someone who's suffered from depression and isolation, the Wanderer makes me feel like it's about living in a fog. Each day is spent trying to find your way.
I've always interpreted this painting as a man who has reached half way through his journey, reached some sort of peak, and is contemplating the terrain of the rest of his journey. The cane, to me, shows that maybe his travels up until now have left him with an injury, so maybe he's debating whether the rest of the journey is even possible. But as you said, there is great beauty and mystery in the rest of the journey. There's also a potential of danger, of more injuries, maybe even death. There is a lot to risk, but also a lot to gain. The man has a decision to make.
Frankly it immediately strikes me as a mid-journey evaluation. He gazes upon the mist that he has just finished uncovering, perhaps reflecting on the irony of his experience of the secrets beneath the fog and yet he is now no longer privy to those inner workings. He takes a breath of hesitation as he debates continuing his journey whilst knowing that he is too far along to return now. A sense of pride in his staggering process, a sense of fear towards the monumental journey that lays ahead. Really beautiful stuff.
This is quickly becoming my favourite channel on RU-vid. I love being able to agree and disagree with your ideas and theory's and your scripting is really amazing.
I just found your channel, it is insanely insanely interesting and entertaining. Keep up the good work I love the editing, everything about it is great. Excited to see more from you.
I found about this painting playing a video game called "Dark Souls 3". In the game we are presented with the concept of "shifting lands", like in the painting where the rock formations and mountains are from different places but are coming together. It sticked in my mind and I'm often going back to see it again. Great video 🙂👍
There is an over the cliff view of Liurnia in Elden Ring after you beat Godrick that offers a shot that looks a lot like Wanderer above the sea of fog. I daresay it may even be a reference.
To me, "the wanderer" is pretty haunting, he has climbed this high peak, but for what purpouse? There is only more climbing ahead of him. His posture is not conveying triumph over his accomplishment, rather he seems to be contemplating something very dark. The wanderer's head seems to be tilted forwards, as if he is gazing down in the depth, rather than at the mountains in the distance. Wether I interpret this painting metaphorically or directly, I find it eerie. I was lucky to see a Caspar David Friedrich retrospective a few years ago, Including this work. They are truly beautiful pieces of art.
Thanks for posting! I searched for more of Freidrich's work after seeing this and realised he painted another picture that I love. I had taken a screen shot of the image but didn't know who painted it, (it was a lovely forest night scape, no people, full moon in the sky). I studied art history at art school but Freidrich was not covered so thanks for the info and insights! Very dark and broody work, I love it
I've found your channel approximately an hour ago and after watching a few of your videos back to back, I have to say, your content is amazing. I love your takes on the several topics but especially this one really spoke to me as someone who always loved The Wanderer in the Sea of Fog. Your commentary about the painting made me see the big picture and I really appreciate it. Hoping you'll continue what you do!
I love seeing comments like this. Especially since this one also describes me as well: someone who just found this channel, and who clicked on this video because I’ve seen and enjoyed the painting. Really strange to think that we could both be on opposite ends of the worlds with completely different cultures and lives, and yet still be connected through this single way. A little strange and maybe cheesy to point out, but hey, thought I may as well
@@DrNaOH i don't think it's cheesy! you're right, it warms my heart how we can connect through so many things like art, and conversation topics despite the differences & the obstacles between us.
I’ve always felt that this painting was a contemplation of suicide. The wanderer was looking out over his past conquests in life… But his head is slightly tilted down. He’s seeing the various peaks & mountain tops from all over Europe but they’re all in a fog. He’s trying to find a reason to live yet he realizes he’s losing that battle. It’s unresolved inner frustration while trying to be brave on the outside. It’s an amazing painting. I first saw it in an art history class back in 1981. My impression on this painting has always been the same. It’s what I’ve always thought of when I’m feeling overwhelmed. Thank you for making this video. I appreciate your work & thoughts.
This video is absolutely a masterpiece, and it found me at just the right time. Your poetic delivery of a philosophical take on the meaning of an artist's piece of work and legacy proves to be just so insightful and comforting for others like myself, who wish to make art that gives way for discussions like this. Your content is of course, another piece of art in that discussion as well. I just love to see how art creates more art. Someone painted, however long ago, and created such conversation in the minds of some that it changed the perspective of the rest of our entire lives. I truly appreciate and admire the content you bring to this platform.
just found your channel today and I love your stuff. You're good at finding interesting topics and talking about them in an engaging and informative way.
I've seen the paintings, but never knew their story, or the story of the painter. After watching this, they make me thing of the nature of life. Each of us is just a small part of the world, and we seem insignificant, but we must all stand in the midst of the unknown and uncaring world. That's what it means to be human. We stand, we endure, we face the challenges of life as best we can.
This is true artwork. The Wanderer makes you seriously question its meaning, the artists intention, and all the while doing so through a perfectly composed medium which elicits a very specific and unique feeling in every viewer. For me, it’s a quiet, solemn sense of hope. Perhaps that the perspective Friedrich had taken in that point of his life. This is the type of painting that is good even if it isn’t hung in a big solid, white room with a couch in the middle.
To me the painting says that the mind of the individual is knowable only to themselves and it is the landscape that they journey through alone throughout their life.
Great video. I knew nothing about art when I first saw this painting. A canvas of it has been hanging on my wall for ten years now. It's always been one of my favorite paintings and always makes me think. I love finding info about it and Casper Friedrich.
I think that this piece has transcended time as we have enculturated technology into the nature we live in. Now the fogs could just as well represent the technological world to a modern audience and I thank you for this video that has given me more appreciation of the piece.
Many people know about a "runner's high," that point in a strenuous run where all the brain and body chemistry and systems come together to give a feeling of endless energy and boundless ability. I have found that the same thing happens with hiking. For me about 3 hours into a good hike I get that "high" and I feel like I could spend the rest of my life charging up and down mountains. To me this painting is that moment. The wanderer has obviously climbed to a peak already. No doubt that journey was challenging and strenuous. They've been exerting themselves for some time and distance and have arrived at this point, body and mind thrumming with purpose and accomplishment, triumphant and confident with the thrill of achievement having made it this far already. They take a moment to catch their breath, gazing into the distance, proud and grateful to have the chance and ability to be here, to see this. Overcome by the beauty and possibilities around them, sure of their ability to face the next part of the journey, excited to discover another awe-inspiring vista. I see triumph, joy, excitement, gratitude. In this moment the wanderer has found nirvana.
Elden Ring had such an impact on me, especially artistically, that I find it strange to this day how a video game could be so . . . 'life changing'. If I had to summarize Elden Ring for me in one painting it would unmistakebly be this one. Also Elden Ring, although unconfirmed, was inspired by Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog; both masterpieces in their own right.
Like the new name of your channel! When I first saw this painting (I have never seen it before) and listened to your description of some of its landmarks and locations, I was struck by the fact that they (the landmarks) were obscured and lacking the clear identification of each location depicted in the painting. In my mind, I envisioned this as the beginning of someone's journey. However, with all of our futures it is obscure and unknown. Even if you know what you will be doing tomorrow and it is known & can be described to a T, you do not automatically know your future tomorrow. At any given moment, it could become the unknown and your future life become obscured. According to my understanding, it reflects our lives and journeys, since we cannot see the future fully, clearly, sharply, or know what lies beneath or where any given step will lead. In the end, we will end up where we are and will have to live in the reality of that moment. My fascination is with the unknown nature of this person’s future journey.
I believe a painting any art is half about what can be seen and half about what can be felt , to imagine the time it takes to make something like one of these paintings, a eternity in most minds for something yo just look at. I believe art is not about what u can see but about what you are confronted with and maybe what one might do when they find themselves within the art.
It's so sad how there are so many now famous artists and writers throughout history who never lived to see the appreciation that their works finally received. Especially the ones who were depressed and needed some kind of love towards themselves or their work. Hopefully they know now that they are appreciated, wherever they may be :)
to me, it looks like he’s done with his journey and is looking back proudly- proud that he took a leap into the unknown. knowing, however it went, that he did it anyway, and his life has changed. for better or worse, it doesn’t matter. he went on a journey and came back alive
I think that the painting might be a portret of his mind. All the pieces of various landscapes gathered in one place, not constituting a specific landscape from reality, could represent his paintings, his ideas that he constantly has in his mind, while the fog could represent his inner turmoil from his life. The wanderer could be his self looking into his mind and trying to discern the landscapes (ideas) beyond the fog (his problems). The stick could represent his need for help, but the fact that he doesn't use it and climbs to the top of the cliff may be his success in overcoming his problems alone through art. The fact that everything is directed towards the figure could represent the idea that he is the center of the universe, of his universe, which is for each person created by their own minds. The fact that the figure has its back to the viewer might represent his withdrawn attitude towards society, solitary, introverted character. Also I appreciate your work!
I still believe that this painting had some influence on the cover art for Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It makes sense, given that the game also has themes of man's relationship with nature.
The channel is woefully under appreciated. Hardly surprising, given RU-vid’s policy. Just know you’re an absolute genius . I don’t want this to go to your head, luckily I believe you’re not too predisposed to that, please , stay humble. I think love I you man
Exact location where Casper went to base this painting is Kaiserkrone, near Schmilke-Hirschmüller, about an hour from Dresden where Casper lived and is buried, and where I live.
My biggest fear in this life has been change due to childhood trauma. I've never really been able to frame my thinking in terms of being afraid of NOT exploring the unknown. Using the fear of missing out on the unknown is something I've never been able to use as a galvanizing force. I think I'm getting closer to this. I hope I can change.
I absolutely adore your channel and feel infinitely blessed to have stumbled upon you! It's only a matter of time before many others do too - your content is truly extraordinary
@@HorsesOnYTCouldn't agree more with this person. I haven't been able to stop watching your videos since I stumbled upon you recently. It's the kind of videos that fill me with such inspiration and curiosity that I get up and do something, they make me want to expand my connection to art and culture. Thanks you and I hope you keep going with such effort and passion.
Yes, a monent of self reflection. Or, perhaps several moments of clarity that we must ascend to in order to achieve. The Monk by the Sea reinforces this interpretation in my own mind. Very good artist.
I remember hearing a piece of philosophy once (can't remember who by) that posed that it's only when you are stood at the edge of the precipice, with anxiety bearing down on you, that you will truly know freedom. The painting is full of contradictions too. The landscape draws your eye to the figure yet his back is turned. Sharp rock in soft fog. Everything in a sea of nothing. The man neither leaving nor arriving. I wonder if this is supposed to represent the occasional moments of clarity that you get when cycling through depression.
