in't bosch Possibly 1880 - 1882

Johannes Tavenraat made this sketch in pen in brown ink with brush in gray ink in the Netherlands. Tavenraat sketches two hares in motion, capturing their dynamism. How do we interpret such a simple drawing? Well, animal studies were a popular genre in the 19th century Netherlands, reflecting a growing interest in the natural world. Paintings of animals became more popular as the rising middle class looked to art to reflect their values and interests. Hunting scenes, in particular, often symbolized status and wealth, but could also reflect on human interaction with nature. The Rijksmuseum, where this drawing resides, was itself founded in this period, reflecting a desire to collect and display art that embodied Dutch national identity and cultural achievements. Art historians use a variety of sources, like period documents and cultural studies, to understand how the shifting social contexts influenced artistic expression. The meaning of art is always contingent on the culture from which it emerges.