Group of trees 

Franz Kobell created this drawing, 'Group of Trees,' using pen and brown ink, over graphite, on paper. Kobell was working in Germany at a time when landscape art was gaining importance. This shift mirrored a broader change in society, away from formal, hierarchical structures and toward a greater appreciation for the natural world. Artists, no longer bound by traditional academic constraints, began to explore their individual experiences of nature. The Städel Museum, where this drawing is housed, plays a crucial role in shaping our understanding of Kobell and his contemporaries. By collecting, preserving, and exhibiting such works, institutions like the Städel construct a narrative of art history that reflects cultural values and priorities. To fully understand Kobell's work, we might research the artistic conventions of his time, the social status of landscape painters, and the role of institutions in promoting certain artistic styles. By examining these factors, we can better understand the social context in which art is made and appreciated.