Portret van een vrouw, van opzij gezien 1843 - 1844

This is a portrait of a woman, seen from the side, made by Johannes Tavenraat. The artwork is a study in ink on paper. The artist’s hand moves freely across the page, capturing the likeness of his sitter with swift, assured strokes. The texture of the paper, though unseen, would certainly have played a part in the application of the ink. Some lines are thicker, others thinner. Some areas are heavily worked, others left almost untouched. The whiteness of the page is as crucial to the overall effect as the drawn marks themselves. In its original context, this work would have been one of many preparatory studies made by Tavenraat. It is a demonstration of skill, a vital commodity for an artist hoping to attract commissions in the 19th century. Looking closely at the drawing reminds us that the art object is always the result of specific materials, and the skill that brings them to life.