Woman with Spider's Web Between Bare Trees

Woman with Spider's Web Between Bare Trees by Caspar David Friedrich German, 1774-1840, is an early and significant example of the artist's profound engagement with Romantic themes. Created in 1803, this piece is classified as a print, specifically executed as a woodcut on ivory wove paper. Friedrich, one of the most important figures in German Romanticism, utilized the often stark, graphic quality of the woodcut to enhance the melancholy subject matter typical of his later oil paintings. The choice of medium underscores the powerful contrast between light and shadow, characteristic of the printmaking tradition of the early 19th century in Germany.

The subject depicts a lone woman standing amidst a cluster of barren, skeletal trees. The titular spider’s web stretched taut between the branches emphasizes themes of isolation, fragility, and existential transience, common motifs explored by Friedrich (1774-1840). This early work shows the developing compositional style of the artist before his focus shifted predominantly to oil painting, although the compositional elements strongly foreshadow masterpieces such as The Monk by the Sea. This exploration of deep mood through elemental nature placed Friedrich at the forefront of the Romantic movement. The image’s simple, stark construction suggests allegorical rather than purely observational intent, reflecting the broader intellectual currents of the period.

As a fine example of 19th-century German prints, the work currently resides in the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. While the museum maintains the original physical artwork, high-resolution reproductions of this woodcut are often made available through institutional efforts, ensuring broader access to significant art historical pieces via public domain initiatives.