Jachthonden in het veld bij een haas 1840 - 1880

Curator: Looking at Johannes Tavenraat's drawing, "Hunting Dogs in the Field near a Hare," likely created sometime between 1840 and 1880, I'm immediately struck by the raw energy captured in such a minimal way. Editor: Yes, it has a real immediacy. The quick pen strokes and the almost haphazard application of ink give it the feeling of a sketch done right there in the field. You can almost feel the dampness of the grass. I’m also intrigued by its inherent social aspects regarding hunting. Curator: Absolutely! It’s interesting how the artist focuses so intently on the dogs, really emphasizing their instinct and anticipation. But if you look closely near the grass at the bottom left, it shows there is a poor hare crouched near the foliage. Almost invisible. Do you think it symbolizes something bigger? Editor: Maybe the artist critiquing these kind of practices in Dutch hunting? The tools—the paper, the pen, the ink—would have all been carefully chosen and prepared for that moment. But then what? I am trying to understand how they obtained these and, consequently, what social hierarchy did the Artist belong to in that time. Curator: That is an astute observation, certainly gives something else to consider while viewing! I suppose it reflects the time and the environment in which the Artist lived, right? Even just a 'simple' animal painting can tell a great deal, especially about the circumstances of it coming to life. For me though, there is something about the freedom of the sketch, its kind of, well, almost child-like wonder! Editor: Interesting, indeed! For me, what strikes is how materials reflect that particular social ladder or role, giving artists visibility and prestige and reflecting their class context at that time, not necessarily an intrinsic and unique vision or talent... I love how we can perceive two things about the same painting! Curator: Ah yes... like seeing entirely different landscapes depending on where we’re standing, perhaps? Well, a marvelous food for thought that can perhaps inspire other Rijksmuseum’s visitors, too. Thank you!