Group of trees 

Peter Becker sketched "Group of Trees" with graphite, a medium that lends itself to the kind of close observation we see here, sometime during the mid-19th century. Becker lived through a period of significant social and political change. The Frankfurt Parliament, formed in 1848, convened just a short distance away from where he lived. This was a time of growing national consciousness. The figures in Becker's sketch, however, are trees. The group of trees is set against the backdrop of buildings and is framed within a landscape tradition that often symbolized a relationship to place and belonging. Consider how the deliberate strokes of graphite bring out the textures of the leaves and bark, creating a sense of depth and presence. These trees, rooted in the earth, might represent the grounding and stability sought amidst the turbulence of the era. Looking closely, one can imagine Becker standing before this scene, pencil in hand, capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow, and the quiet dignity of the natural world in a rapidly changing world.