Berglandschaft (Landschaft bei Graz, Steiermark_) 

Ernst Welker made this landscape near Graz, Austria using watercolor, at an unknown date. The delicate washes and soft colors of the scene evoke the quiet reverence for nature that marked the Romantic era. Welker’s work reflects the growing importance of landscape painting in the 19th century. Artists turned to nature to express feelings about national identity. The depiction of landscapes became a way to celebrate the beauty of a country and instill a sense of pride and belonging. But this artistic movement coincided with complex social dynamics, including the rise of nationalism and colonialism. Representations of landscapes can sometimes gloss over the people and histories that have shaped those spaces. The artist's choices, whether intentional or not, are never neutral. How do the idyllic scenes shape our understanding of the past and present?