Vis Possibly 1870 - 1871

Johannes Tavenraat made this drawing of a fish in 1820, using pen on paper. The materials are simple, direct, and unpretentious. The choice of pen and paper gives the work an immediate, almost documentary quality. The lines are thin and precise, capturing the form and texture of the fish with a kind of scientific detachment. Note the fine hatching indicating the scales, and the parallel lines suggesting the water's surface. Tavenraat was likely interested in documenting the natural world around him, and his direct approach mirrors a wider social and cultural interest in empirical observation. Before photography, such drawings were a primary way of recording and sharing visual information. The drawing thus reflects a moment in time when the hand-made image held a particular value. By focusing on the materials and context of this work, we can appreciate its role as both a work of art and a historical artifact. It blurs the boundaries between art, craft, and scientific illustration.