Herder met schalmei 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat made this intriguing drawing called "Herder met Schalmei" or "Shepherd with Shawm", with graphite. This sketch sheet introduces us to the world of the 19th-century Dutch art academies. Tavenraat, who lived from 1809 to 1881, was a product of this system and he also taught others. Here he seems to be working through studies of the local peasantry. During this period, the Netherlands was attempting to establish a strong sense of national identity. Artists often turned to the countryside and its inhabitants for authentic representations of the Dutch character. It is interesting to note the contrast between the reality of rural life and its romanticized depiction in art. What choices has Tavenraat made? These sketches give us insight into the institutions and social conditions that shaped the Dutch art world. By researching exhibition records, artist biographies, and social histories, we can reveal the complex interplay between art, identity, and power.