Arches c. 1847

Peter Becker made this drawing entitled ‘Arches’ with pencil on paper. Becker worked in Frankfurt during a period of rapid industrialisation and social change in Germany. This drawing of arches reflects an interest in architectural forms, particularly those associated with Gothic Revival styles that became popular at this time. The Gothic Revival was often linked to a romanticised view of the past and a critique of modern industrial society. In tracing these arches on paper, Becker engages with the history of architectural styles and the social values they represent. His work reflects the broader cultural debates about tradition, modernity, and national identity that shaped 19th-century Germany. Further investigation into architectural drawings, historical treatises on architectural styles, and social histories of 19th-century Germany would give further context to the artistic and cultural landscape in which Becker was working. Art like this gains its fullest meaning when we appreciate its position within a complex web of social and institutional relations.