Light Prayer

''Light Prayer'' (german: Lichtgebet) is a painting associated with the German Youth Movement and '' Lebensreform'' concept of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It portrays a young, naked man who stands on a rock and stretches his arms toward the sky. It was created by the German painter Fidus, who from 1890 to 1938 made eleven versions in various media. In 1913, he created a postcard based on the painting that became widely spread in Germany.

Fidus wanted to revitalize society through his paintings and implemented ''Lebensreform'' themes such as naturism, light, nature and vitality. ''Light Prayer'' is in line with the Youth Movement's programme but also became popular among young people who did not associate it with any particular ideology. Scholars have described possible influences from '' völkisch'' occultism, the Norwegian landscape, an idea of universal animation, Anthroposophy, Theosophy, evolution theory and a desire to return to nature. The man's posture has been associated with Guido von List's idea of the '' Algiz'' (ᛉ) rune as a life symbol and with the image of the crucifixion.

Background

The German painter and draughtsman Hugo Höppener (1868 – 1948) studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich from 1887, quickly took interest in the '' Lebensreform'' () movement and became a disciple of the artist and social reformer Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach. Diefenbach gave him the name Fidus which is Latin for "the faithful one". Together with two other artists, they briefly lived in a naturist commune, inspired by Heinrich Pudor's theories about nudity as a means for increased harmony, honesty and simplicity. Fidus adopted a Theosophical worldview and became a member of Munich's Theosophical society in 1898.

As a painter, Fidus had the ambition to revitalize society and he described himself as a "man of revelation" (german: Offenbahrungsmensch). He employed Romantic and Germanic subjects in a style influenced by symbolism and Jugendstil to create utopian and '' völkisch'' images. He incorporated ''Lebensreform'' themes, notably nudism and naturism. Related to the ''Lebensreform'' concept were the German Youth Movement and Wandervogel groups, where light, fire and the summer solstice frequently were associated with closeness to nature and vitality, and regarded as important in the search for a new sacrality.

Subject and composition

In ''Light Prayer'', a naked young man with a slim body is seen half from behind. He stands on a rock with his heels raised, facing the sky with his arms stretched out. The wind blazes in his blond hair. The background consists of a blue sky with clouds that appear to go down below the level of the rock.

The view from the back allows viewers to identify with the figure and the nudity provides a timeless element. The man assumes a body position reminiscent of the z-rune, '' Algiz'' (ᛉ), which the ''völkisch'' occultist Guido von List had interpreted as a symbol for life. The sharp rock, reminiscent of the coastal landscape of Norway which Fidus had visited, and the possible reference to runes evoke a Nordic theme.

The historian of religion Carrie B. Dohe says ''Light Prayer'' recalls the image of the crucifixion, which shares the Y-shaped body position and connection to a higher power. According to the cultural historian Marina Schuster, the painting is based on an idea of universal animation (German: Friedrich Nietzsche's '' Thus Spoke Zarathustra''. The historian Ryan Kurt Johnson says there are influences from Anthroposophy and Theosophy, and an expression of a cult of evolution theory and natural science.

From 1890 to 1938, Fidus made eleven versions of ''Light Prayer'', creating it in charcoal, oil, watercolour and as lithograph. The name ''Light Prayer'' (German: Hoher Meißner