Zoon Henri bij een boomstam 1861 - 1869

Johannes Tavenraat made this drawing, titled 'Zoon Henri bij een boomstam', sometime in the 19th century using pencil and brush in gray. Tavenraat lived through a period of significant social and political upheaval in Europe and the Netherlands. This drawing offers a glimpse into 19th century Dutch society and familial expectations. The detailed rendering of the tree trunk, contrasted with the more sketch-like rendering of his son Henri, might suggest an emphasis on the natural world versus the human. It raises questions about the relationship between man and nature, a common theme in art of this period, when people were coming to terms with the Industrial Revolution. The choice to depict his son near a tree could symbolize growth, stability, or perhaps even the weight of family expectations, reflecting the hopes and anxieties of a father during a time of great change.