Caspar David Friedrich’s »Wanderer« as a huge mural

From museum to street:

To mark the 250th anniversary of Caspar David Friedrich’s birth, Australian façade artist Fintan Magee has created a new interpretation of the famous painting »Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog« (ca. 1817), the original of which is in the collection of the Hamburger Kunsthalle.

The new mural covers nearly 200 square metres in Hamburg’s Portuguese Quarter and was produced was produced by WALLS OF VISION together with Walls Can Dance, northern Germany’s largest open-air gallery for urban art, and in close cooperation with the Hamburger Kunsthalle and St. Michael’s Church, aka the Michel.

Background: WALLS OF VISION gives the general public access to historical works of art free of charge by enlisting urban artists to transfer historical paintings to the present and future by reinterpreting them on public façades.

»It is a special honour for us to contribute to the 250th anniversary of Caspar David Friedrich’s birth in the company of such renowned institutions,«  commented Marco Alfter, Managing Director of the Dr. Hans Riegel Foundation, sponsor of the projec . »In 2019, WALLS OF VISION was launched with an interpretation of Friedrich’s ‘Wanderer’ in Cologne. We are proud and delighted to now dedicate yet another version of the ‘Wanderer’ through this project with the Hamburger Kunsthalle, St. Michael’s Church and Walls Can Dance.«

The elaborate mural that now adorns a wall at Ditmar-Koel-Strasse 19 represents a »contemplation of art in space and beyond space. From the Michel’s viewing platform at a height of 106 metres, visitors can enjoy a unique view of the artwork from a distance,« said Alexander Röder, head pastor at St. Michael’s.

Caspar David Friedrich’s birthday is also the occasion for the most comprehensive panoramic survey of his art seen in many years. From 15 December 2023 to 1 April 2024, the Hamburger Kunsthalle will present more than 70 of Friedrich’s paintings, including a number of iconic key works and around 100 drawings.

All those involved in the project would like to express their thanks to the Schiffszimmerer-Genossenschaft (Ship Carpenters Cooperative), which has generously made the façade of their building available for the artwork.