Eenden, vee en kippen op een stok 1839 - 1872

This is a pencil drawing called 'Ducks, Cattle and Chickens on a Stick' by Johannes Tavenraat, created sometime in the 19th century. During Tavenraat's time, the Netherlands was experiencing a period of agricultural innovation and growth. Drawings and sketches like this served as studies, capturing the essence of rural life and the animals that were so integral to the Dutch economy and identity. The placement of the animals seems almost whimsical, and not necessarily how one encounters them in real life. The cattle look like ghosts in comparison to the fowl. This arrangement encourages us to think about how the animals were perceived and valued in Dutch society. Were they merely economic commodities, or did they hold a deeper cultural significance? How does Tavenraat subtly convey this through his art? It is this quiet attention to detail and the subtle commentary on the world around him that makes Tavenraat's work so compelling.