A friend recently pointed out the genius artistry of German painter Caspar David Friedrich. One of his most well known works is Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog (shown above). The image is used as an inspirational starting point for many modern-day depictions of the human form in film, television and art.
It’s been noted that many contemporary cinematic compositions — as well as film key art — takes heavy inspiration from the Wanderer. Back to the camera. A nameless figure. Solitary. Someone for the viewer to project their own mindset on, perhaps.
Many of his pieces typically feature “contemplative figures silhouetted against night skies, morning mists, barren trees or gothic or megalithic ruins”. They’re dark, ominous, grim and beautiful. If you like your art cheery and bright, C.D.F. is not your man.
I thought I’d take a spin through some modern cinematography’s most iconic frames to see just how much the silhouette in this form lines up with what Caspar David Friedrich’s brush strokes depicted way back when. In almost all cases, chiaroscuro outlines of shadowy figures makes for some epic imagery.
Blade Runner 2049 – DP Roger Deakins
Blade Runner – DP Jordan Cronenworth
The Watchmen — DOP Larry Fong
The Watchmen — DOP Jeff Cronenworth
300 — DOP Larry Fong
The Shining – DP John Alcott
Malificent – DP Dean Semler
Killing Them Softly – DP Greig Fraser
Kill Bill – DP Robert Richardson
There Will Be Blood – DP Robert Elswit
No Country For Old Men – DP Roger Deakins
Skyfall – DP Roger Deakins
Mad Max (Video Game 2015)