Schlafender Eseltreiber unter einem Baum an einem See 

Wilhelm von Kobell made this watercolor drawing of a sleeping donkey driver under a tree by a lake. It represents an ideal of rural life that was fashionable around 1800. Thinkers at the time considered peasants to be more authentic than city dwellers. Here, the artist takes a critical look at that romantic image. The painting doesn't deny the beauty of nature, but it acknowledges that rural life is hard. The driver is exhausted. We can see in the background that this is a rest stop for many like him. To understand it better, we could research the art market of the time and the expectations of its patrons. We might consider how changes in land use and ownership affected those working the land. Historical context is essential for understanding the true meaning of art.