Bush 

Peter Becker made this pencil drawing, titled "Bush", at an unknown date. Becker, born in 1828, worked during a period of significant change in how art was taught and displayed. This drawing prompts us to consider the role of nature within the artistic and cultural institutions of 19th-century Germany. We see a detailed study of a tree, with a small shrine-like structure at its base. Germany at this time saw the rise of Romanticism, a movement that emphasized emotion, individualism, and the glorification of nature. Art academies were becoming more standardized, often focusing on classical ideals, yet artists like Becker found ways to incorporate the close observation of nature, a key tenet of Romanticism, into their work. To understand this drawing fully, we might explore the curriculum of the art schools Becker attended, or delve into the cultural significance of shrines in the German landscape. Art history is about understanding the context in which art is made, revealing how artistic practices and cultural values are intertwined.