Evening was painted by Philipp Otto Runge in 1804.

Where can I see Evening?

Evening is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Evening?

Evening is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Evening

Philipp Otto Runge , 1804

Evening is a print by the Romanticist artist Philipp Otto Runge. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 2024.2.3
Credit line: Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund

About this work

Overview

Evening is a print from Phillip Otto Runge's four-part series Tageszeiten (Times of Day), a significant work in German Romantic printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a dark forest at dusk with a pale figure floating above the ground, symbolizing the soul's ascent towards the divine. It represents not just a time of day, but also a stage of life and a season, contrasting human mortality with nature's continuity.

Technique & Style

The print features sfumato, a technique characterized by soft, blurred edges, evoking a dreamy, atmospheric effect. The twisting trees resemble smoke, adding to the ethereal quality of the scene.

Context

Tageszeiten is a landmark series that embodies the 'new art' promoted by Runge and his contemporary Caspar David Friedrich, emphasizing a personal and spiritual response to nature.