Herten in een bergachtig landschap 1819 - 1881

Johannes Tavenraat made this drawing, Herten in een bergachtig landschap, with pen in the 19th century. During this period, the Netherlands was experiencing a burgeoning sense of national identity, and landscape art became a powerful way to express pride in the homeland. However, Tavenraat has drawn a mountainous scenery, so we could ask ourselves if he is trying to portray an idealized version of nature. Notice how the deer are arranged. One stands alone in the foreground, while others are much smaller and further away, on top of the mountain. It is almost as if they are symbols of social hierarchy. The one in front stands out as important, while the others are just part of the landscape. In a society marked by increasing social stratification, artists like Tavenraat offered viewers an emotional connection to the land, inviting them to reflect on their place within its majestic expanse.