Lucht 1854 - 1868

Johannes Tavenraat created this evocative sketch, "Lucht," using graphite on paper. Vertically oriented lines dominate the composition, suggesting a screen or perhaps rain, creating an atmospheric depth. A series of horizontal marks traverse the middle, introducing a structural interruption to the linear flow. The artist’s lines are not merely representational; they function as a framework upon which the viewer's perception is staged. This intersection of vertical and horizontal elements destabilizes traditional landscape expectations, prompting a semiotic reading of space and form. The sketch’s structure invites contemplation on how minimal gestures can evoke complex atmospheric phenomena. It exemplifies how Tavenraat engages with the materiality of simple mark-making to open avenues for interpreting the transient and the sublime within nature.