August Kopisch (1799-1853) was a German artist and poet. Born in Breslau, then part of Prussia, Kopisch was a versatile figure who managed to distinguish himself in various artistic and cultural fields of the time.
Kopisch studied painting in Dresden and later in Vienna, but his education was not limited to visual art. He was also a passionate scholar of literature and music, and these passions deeply influenced his poetic work. His education allowed him to develop a very personal and innovative approach, both in painting and writing.
Perhaps one of the most well-known episodes of his life is the discovery of the Blue Grotto of Capri in 1826, together with the painter Ernst Fries. This magical place, with its crystalline sea and cobalt blue reflections, became famous worldwide thanks to Kopisch's description in his works. The Blue Grotto symbolized the enchantment and wonder of nature, recurring themes in his poetry.
As a painter, Kopisch was appreciated for his ability to capture light and color, elements that he also brought into his writing. His poems often incorporate visual vividness and a deep sensitivity to the natural landscape, reflecting his training as a painter.
In literature, this artist is remembered especially for his dialect poems and his translations of Italian works into German, which helped introduce Italian culture to the German public of the time. He was also a great scholar of Dante Alighieri.