His novel, "The Sorrows of Young Werther," became a cultural sensation in Europe and was associated with the Sturm und Drang literary movement. However, it is "Faust" that remains his magnum opus. "Faust" is considered one of the greatest works of German literature and has inspired countless adaptations and discussions.

Alongside Friedrich Schiller, Goethe established Weimar Classicism, a cultural and literary movement that combined aesthetics from ancient Greece and the Enlightenment era. His most notable scientific work is the "Theory of Colours," where he explored the nature of color from a perspective that differed from Isaac Newton's established theories. He was one of the key figures of the German Romantic period, shaping this era's philosophical and cultural ethos.