Wald mit Wasser und einer Brücke, dabei mehrere Figuren 

Johann Caspar Zehender made this drawing of a forest with water and a bridge in Germany during the late eighteenth century. In his work, Zehender uses a Romantic style to evoke the sublime power of nature. However, this image of nature is far from untouched by society: there is a bridge, several figures standing by the bridge, and a man with a rifle walking along the stream. The placement of the figures encourages viewers to think about who has access to nature, and under what conditions. The history of landscape art can be understood alongside the history of land ownership, social class, and access to resources. Historians use a wide variety of resources in interpreting art like this. In addition to the artwork itself, we can also learn from archival documents, publications, and other historical sources. By studying these resources, we can better understand the social and institutional contexts in which art is made and interpreted.