The two meditative figures, seen almost entirely from the rear, serve as representatives of the observer, who is left to contemplate what they are seeing and supply a meaning. In addition to the Romantic mysticism of the tension between the palpable world and the unending cosmos, three additional contrasting interpretations have been presented, in terms of religion, politics and biography. Religion The German art historian interprets the evergreen spruce and the dead oak as symbols of the Christian worldview and defeated paganism, respectively, the path as the path of life and the waxing moon as Christ. The oak has traditionally represented history and transience, the evergreen fir-tree, the constantly renewing power of nature. The uprooted tree may represent death, yet its contrast with the clear, bright sky represents hope, eternal life, and closeness to the sublime, or Christ. Politics 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. See also List of works by Caspar David Friedrich References External links Two Men Contemplating the Moon at Galerie Neue Meister Man and Woman Contemplating the Moon at the Alte Nationalgalerie Two Men Contemplating the Moon at The Met Paintings by Caspar David Friedrich 1820s paintings Paintings in the Galerie Neue Meister Moon in art Paintings in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Paintings in the collection of the Alte Nationalgalerie Painting series