Bauernhof am Wasser mit alten Bäumen 

Peter Halm created this drawing, "Farmhouse by the Water with Old Trees", using graphite on paper. Halm came of age during the German Empire, a period defined by rapid industrialization, nationalism, and social stratification. In this drawing we see a seemingly serene landscape, but it invites us to reflect on the changing social fabric of late 19th century Germany. Halm focuses on the quiet intimacy of rural life, depicting a humble farmhouse nestled beside a body of water, with a couple of small boats pulled up on the shore. The gnarled, old trees dominate the composition. The scene is one of quiet contemplation, inviting viewers to consider the enduring relationship between humanity and nature. Consider the historical context: industrialization was pulling people away from rural communities like this one, towards urban centers, and factory work. Here Halm offers not just a landscape, but a commentary on value, and what is at stake in the face of progress. A romanticized vision of rural life that implicitly critiques the social and environmental costs of modernization.