Haas 1840 - 1880

Curator: Here we have Johannes Tavenraat's "Haas," dating from about 1840 to 1880, residing here at the Rijksmuseum. It's an ink and pen drawing of a resting hare. Editor: My immediate impression is a sense of quiet vulnerability. The hare is so still, almost blending into the ground. Curator: I'm intrigued by the economy of the line. Look how Tavenraat uses the varying thickness and density of ink strokes to suggest form and texture. It’s just ink and paper, but there’s so much depth created by the artist. Editor: The hare, across cultures, carries varied symbolism, from fertility to timidity, depending on the era and region. Here, in this restful pose, one wonders if it signifies a pause, a moment of stillness within the hunt or the cycle of life. The delicate lines lend a fragility to this otherwise wild animal. Curator: Absolutely, and let's consider the context of the creation. Drawing like this would often have been used in the nineteenth century as study work, almost a pre-photography way of closely examining the natural world, to grasp form, texture and ultimately, the objective properties of ‘animal-ness’ – so important to painting and scientific endeavors of the era. Editor: That connects strongly with the iconography, doesn't it? This feels more than just observation; it feels like a commentary. The almost sketch-like quality allows for interpretation, encouraging viewers to project their own meanings onto the image. Is it at rest, injured, perhaps a symbol of something deeper than just "hare"? Curator: I agree; there’s something that transcends objective study. While intended for close material investigation perhaps, it takes on an emotional weight due to Tavenraat's skill. We still read that in the artwork today. The animal, though observed, resists being reduced to simple data because of its artful composition. Editor: Precisely. It's fascinating how these seemingly simple lines create an enduring image filled with quiet power. Curator: It certainly invites one to reconsider the labor and thought processes in naturalist sketches. Thanks for sharing your insightful perspective! Editor: Thank you; delving into this hare's symbolic depths has been most rewarding!