Stam van een eikenboom 1868

This drawing of an oak tree trunk was made by Johannes Tavenraat in the Netherlands in the 19th century. The drawing depicts the rough texture of the tree bark, with the artist using a variety of lines and shading to create a sense of depth and volume. In the Netherlands during this time, the art world was dominated by the Hague School, a group of artists who emphasized realism and naturalism in their work. This drawing fits into that tradition. It also reminds us that the Netherlands was a colonial power with a strong interest in its natural resources; this may be why Tavenraat made drawings like this. We might consider the role of the Rijksmuseum in preserving drawings like this. What does it mean for a drawing of a tree trunk to be elevated to the status of a museum object? To answer this, we can refer to the museum's archive, along with historical texts and exhibition catalogues. This will reveal what was at stake, culturally and institutionally, in producing, collecting, and displaying works like this.