The Lonely Tree (Der einsame Baum)
Painting on canvas • Caspar David Friedrich
Style & Movement
German Romanticism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas using fine glazing, detailed brushwork, and atmospheric perspective
Creation Period
1822
Dimensions & Format
55 cm x 71 cm; Landscape format
Subject Description
A weather-beaten oak tree stands centrally in a meadow landscape, silhouetted against a backdrop of the Harz Mountains. A shepherd rests at the foot of the tree while his sheep graze nearby. The composition uses the 'Rückenfigur' concept indirectly, focusing on the solitary natural element as a symbol of spiritual endurance and the passage of time.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; well-preserved within a museum environment with stable paint film
Estimated Market Value
$80,000,000 - $120,000,000 (estimation based on museum rarity and historical significance)
Auction Estimate
$70,000,000 - $100,000,000
Provenance History
Acquired by the Wagener Collection in the 19th century; currently part of the Alte Nationalgalerie collection, Berlin
Art Historical Significance
A masterpiece of German Romanticism, this work encapsulates Friedrich's use of landscape as a medium for religious and philosophical contemplation, representing the resilience of the individual in the face of nature and eternity.
Notable Features
Distinctive top branches of the oak represent a cross or skeletal form; the depth is achieved through traditional Romantic layering from dark foreground to light-filled distance.
Condition Issues
Minor age-related craquelure; historical varnish may show slight yellowing, but otherwise stable
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain strictly controlled humidity (50% RH) and temperature; avoid UV exposure; periodic professional inspection of the stretcher tension