In the context of Two Men Contemplating the Moon, discuss the Politics of the Interpretations.
The altdeutsche Tracht worn by both men was banned under the Carlsbad decrees of 1819, coinciding with the creation of the work. Friedrich himself pointed to the importance of this political aspect in interpreting the work; Karl Förster recounts in his memoirs that on a visit to the artist's studio in Dresden on 9 April 1820, Friedrich showed him the painting and said, with irony, as if in explanation, "They are fomenting demagogic intrigues". Many of Friedrich's paintings feature people in this political costume, suggesting he intended a political message against their suppression; however, the sketches and most of the paintings predate the ban.
Karl Förster altdeutsche Tracht Carlsbad decrees