Ludwig Richter

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On the 200th anniversary of Ludwig Richter's birth, this work revises the image of the popular late Romantic painter and illustrator. The author, Heinz Demisch, elaborates on Richter’s broad intellectual individuality, highlighting his spiritual depth and the profound religiosity that influenced his entire oeuvre. The introduction addresses Richter's reception history, which has often labeled him merely as a Biedermeier artist and chronicler of bourgeois life. Demisch explores the impact of Richter’s formative experiences in Rome, particularly a significant awakening influenced by his Herrnhuter background. He examines the authors and artists Richter admired, revealing his connections to Rosicrucian thought for the first time. The consequences of these influences are analyzed through 13 selected paintings and over 180 woodcuts, alongside reflections from Richter's own memoirs. This posthumous work offers a wealth of discoveries for scholars of Romanticism in art history, German studies, and theology, enhancing public understanding of Richter's complex intellectual landscape. Demisch successfully breaks through the stereotypes surrounding Richter's persona and oeuvre, providing new insights and access points for further exploration.