Zerklüftete Felsen an einem Gewässer 

Franz Kobell made this drawing of jagged rocks by a body of water with pen and brown ink. Made in Germany, likely in the late 18th or early 19th century, it reflects the growing Romantic interest in nature. The image evokes the sublime power and drama of the natural world. Note the sharp, rugged forms of the rocks and the contrast between light and shadow, all rendered with fine strokes of ink. Such landscapes weren't just about pretty scenery; they resonated with cultural ideas of the time. The rise of landscape art went hand in hand with the beginnings of environmental awareness and a cultural movement that saw nature as a place for spiritual renewal, a contrast to the industrialized world. Understanding this piece means researching the period's art institutions, exhibition practices, and the rising market for landscape imagery. As historians, we can contextualize the imagery within the social and intellectual currents of its time.