Holzhausen vor der Höhe 1854

Peter Becker made this drawing titled 'Holzhausen vor der Höhe' in 1877. The composition is a sketch of a village, complete with traditional architecture and townspeople in transit. Becker lived through an era of massive social transformation in Germany. In the late 19th century, the rise of industrialization, urbanization, and nationalism spurred debates about cultural identity and the preservation of tradition. This drawing is from the period in which Frankfurt was annexed by Prussia, which would have been a highly impactful experience for Becker, who taught at the Städelsches Kunstinstitut for 44 years. Becker’s sketch can be seen as part of a broader artistic movement that sought to capture and idealize rural life. This kind of work frequently served nationalist agendas, solidifying ideas about German identity, a sense of homeland and belonging. By consulting historical archives, local histories, and studies of German art and cultural movements of the period we can come to understand the socio-political dimensions of the artwork.