Welcome

Welcome to the Caspar David Friedrich Society in Greifswald. Thank you for your interest in our work.

The Caspar David Friedrich Society, founded in 1998, is a registered, non-profit organisation and is committed to the legacy of the important early Romantic painter.

The society promotes and supports institutions, societies and individuals who research and present the work and person of Caspar David Friedrich in their traditional lines, their after-effects and their cultural, in particular art-scientific, overall contexts. It brings together scholars, friends and people interested in Friedrich and fosters intellectual exchange across disciplinary boundaries. Through lectures, excursions, publications and exhibitions, the society contributes to the presentation, dissemination and better understanding of Caspar David Friedrich's life and work.

On the initiative of the Society, the Caspar David Friedrich Centre was established on the site of the artist's birthplace as a central information centre on the life, work and influence of the artist with the support of the University and Hanseatic City of Greifswald.

It is located within the medieval town centre and in the historical, urban context of St. Nikolai Cathedral, the main university building and the ensemble of buildings of St. Spiritus. It offers visitors an unrivalled opportunity to trace the habitat in which Caspar David Friedrich grew up and where he received the inspiration that shaped his life and work. The listed building complex forms a cohesive architectural ensemble of exceptional quality.

The entire ensemble of buildings in the Friedrich Quarter serves as a museum, exhibition and documentation centre. It provides information about Caspar David Friedrich, the artist's family and the history of the residential and commercial building.

In the basement, visitors can gain an insight into the traditional craft of soap boiling and light drawing, which Friedrich's family practised for generations. The artist's work is illustrated on the ground floor. The gallery is located on the first floor and hosts four changing exhibitions of contemporary art related to Friedrich's work every year. This promotes innovative approaches and current issues in contemporary art.

With the annual awarding of the Caspar David Friedrich Prize, the society supports young art students who are studying the work of Caspar David Friedrich at a place where the artist lived, studied and worked - the University of Greifswald, the Royal Academy of Arts in Copenhagen and the Dresden University of Fine Arts.

All those who are connected to the work of the painter of Romanticism and art and wish to express their commitment are welcome to join the Caspar David Friedrich Society.

Yours sincerely

Gerlind Amtsberg

Chairwoman