Studie einer Blattpflanze 

Johann Peter Krafft made this study of a leafy plant with graphite on paper. Given the context in which it was made, the social value of botanical knowledge is something to consider. Think about who was studying plants and why in the 19th Century. For the European middle classes, the study of natural history was a popular science and a mark of social cultivation. The formal qualities of the plant are meticulously recorded here, as are the effects of light and shadow. Krafft lived in Austria during a time of great imperial expansion. The Austro-Hungarian empire brought huge social changes to the region. We might consider how the science of botany and this drawing practice are related to colonial expansion and the collection and classification of resources. The historian might consult archival records from botanical gardens or other institutions to understand Krafft’s drawing in its scientific and social context.