Kippen 1839

Here we see "Kippen," a pencil drawing by Johannes Tavenraat made in 1839. It is a study of dead fowl, their limp bodies sketched with both precision and a certain nonchalance. Tavenraat was working during a time of significant social change in the Netherlands. Industrialization and urbanization were beginning to transform Dutch society, challenging traditional ways of life. In this context, Tavenraat's drawing gains a certain poignancy. It is a study of dead fowl, and we can interpret them as symbols of vulnerability and mortality. It serves as a reminder of the fragility of life. Chickens, often associated with domesticity and sustenance, here become emblems of dispossession. Through his emotive sketching, Tavenraat evokes a sense of melancholic reflection. "Kippen" invites us to contemplate the delicate balance between life and death, reflecting on the social transformations and human experiences of his time.