Staande man met hoed 1840 - 1880

Curator: Here we have "Standing Man with Hat," a drawing created between 1840 and 1880, made with ink. The artist is Johannes Tavenraat, and the work now resides in the Rijksmuseum. What strikes you first about it? Editor: There's a raw vulnerability about it. The stark lines, almost etched into the page, convey a world-weariness, wouldn't you agree? He’s got such an individual look. Curator: I see that too. Tavenraat uses this medium, a simple drawing in ink, to capture more than just a likeness; it's a caricature of a man who seems weighed down, almost resigned, but is the caricature making fun of the individual or the situation, that is another question alltogether. I think you can definitely read that from the image Editor: Perhaps it's commenting on social status and public role of this man in society during the late industrial period. The hat, while perhaps intended as a mark of respectability, becomes almost a mask. Also what does standing mean during that period in society? Is that in reference to status? Is there some history about class structure in art here. Curator: Fascinating. We see symbols of standing, but perhaps undermined, yes. I also sense in it a tension, the quick ink lines of the artist, and how that matches the personality depicted within the artwork itself. And yet there's also something deeply human in his very prominent facial lines, mapping years of existence and all the symbolic depth contained therein. How does the lack of idealisation impact you? Editor: Well, it forces you to confront reality. It bypasses the romantic idealisations, the flattering portraits meant to secure political alliances and promote wealth. He appears alone as such portraits commonly do and the museum reinforces his image in this case, the question I suppose for those experiencing art is what their emotional reaction. Curator: Yes. Tavenraat’s "Standing Man with Hat" doesn't allow us to escape into fantasy; he reflects perhaps a broader shift that society itself was having toward understanding everyday men within our modern social institutions, it gives this piece an unforgettable strength of the human spirit against a lot of changing social factors. Editor: Agreed, an individual who could walk through any gallery. Its very accessibility breaks down those cultural barriers to allow more voices. What a piece!