Karl Hagemeister captured the image of the birch grove in several paintings, showing all the seasons of the year. It reflects the landscape of the country area around Berlin near Werder on the Havel, to which the painter moved in 1892. Outside in this natural setting Hagemeister studied the constantly changing interplay of light and colours, and translated his observations into large-format landscape paintings. He developed his powerful-dynamic painting style through examination of the French Impressionists and their technique. He had encountered plein air painting during a study trip to Paris as early as 1883/84. Karl Hagemeister was a founding member of the Berlin Secession.