Vrouw staand aan de rand van de afgrond en raaf

Vrouw staand aan de rand van de afgrond en raaf by Caspar David Friedrich, created between 1801 and 1803, is a powerful early example of the German Romantic movement rendered on paper. Classified as a print, the work depicts a lone woman standing precariously close to the edge of a sheer drop-off, gazing into the profound depth below. The figure is observed by a raven, often a symbol of fate or melancholy in Romantic iconography, perched nearby. The piece exemplifies Friedrich's early exploration of the Rückenfigur motif, where a figure is seen from behind, used to draw the viewer into the contemplative contemplation of the sublime landscape. The dramatic composition emphasizes the isolation of the figure, positioning her against the vast, empty space of the abyss, creating a potent visual metaphor for human vulnerability and spiritual seeking.

Friedrich employed print media throughout his career, often using them to develop or replicate compositional ideas that would later appear in his famous oil paintings. The stark contrasts inherent to the graphic medium here underscore the overwhelming scale of the natural environment versus the small human form. The emotional weight of the scene reflects the era's deep preoccupation with existential introspection and the power of the natural world to evoke both terror and awe. This important graphic work, Vrouw staand aan de rand van de afgrond en raaf, is housed within the prestigious collection of the Rijksmuseum. As an artwork now considered public domain, this early 19th-century study remains essential for understanding Friedrich’s foundational contributions to prints and Romantic iconography.