Gezadeld paard 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat sketched this study of a saddled horse with pen and brown ink on paper. The composition captures the dynamic energy of the horse, with a focus on the lines that define its form and movement. The swift, economical strokes suggest a moment frozen in time. Tavenraat’s focus on line rather than volume allows us to consider how the simple representation of form can express vitality. His method can be seen as engaging with semiotics, where the horse becomes a signifier of energy and dynamism rather than a literal depiction. The absence of background or setting further accentuates the horse as a figure, making its form the primary focus of the work. Ultimately, Tavenraat's study is a visual exploration of how line and form can be abstracted to convey motion and character, inviting viewers to contemplate the essence of representation itself.