Koppen 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat created this study of heads on paper using pen and ink sometime in the 19th century. The artist’s chosen material—paper—is fragile, and its transparency allows us to see the traces of the artist's hand as he sketched these heads. Tavenraat focused on the faces and head coverings, capturing expressions and details with confident strokes. The ink, applied with a fine-tipped pen, allowed for precision in linework, varying from delicate hatching to bold outlines, giving depth and form to the characters. As a study, this drawing is of particular interest because it shows the labor involved in the production of a finished artwork. We can appreciate the skill and practice necessary to achieve such mastery over the medium, emphasizing the value of traditional techniques in artmaking, challenging the perception of drawing as merely preparatory.