Studienblatt_ Waldpartie, Kirche 

Peter Becker made this pencil drawing titled ‘Studienblatt: Waldpartie, Kirche’ with the intention of studying a section of woodland with a church. This sketch gives us an insight into the visual culture of 19th-century Germany. It demonstrates a specific interest in landscape and architecture that was widespread at the time. The location is not stated, but German Romanticism saw a rise in artworks of local landscapes. The increase in urbanization prompted nostalgic representations of rural life, and the church spire indicates the importance of Christianity to the communities living there. Becker was based at the Städel Museum. Although he is not a household name, he would have contributed to the artistic and intellectual life of Frankfurt. Art historians can study works like this and access archives to better understand how artists and institutions contributed to the cultural landscape. Art always reflects specific social conditions.