Liggende man met hond 1869

Johannes Tavenraat made this ink drawing called 'Liggende man met hond' - or 'Reclining man with dog' - sometime in the 19th century. It's a quick sketch with just a few lines to describe the scene. But what story does it tell? The man's posture suggests exhaustion. Is he a vagrant? A soldier on leave? The dog seems to be his only companion, and lies close by his side. Tavenraat was working in the Netherlands during a time of great social upheaval. The Industrial Revolution changed the landscape of work forever, with many rural people moving to urban areas. In this context, the image might be understood as a commentary on the social consequences of modernisation, as seen through the lens of the artist. To understand it better, we can delve into the history of Dutch society at the time, perhaps examining journalistic photographs or investigating parish records. It's the job of the art historian to place the work of art within such cultural and institutional contexts.