Planten 1862 - 1867

Johannes Tavenraat made this drawing of plants sometime in the 19th century, using graphite on paper. This is as straightforward a work of art as you can get. A pencil and sheet of paper were readily available to most people in Tavenraat's day. But it's precisely in this accessibility that the drawing speaks volumes. The quick strokes and shading, the light and dark contrasts, and the artist's notations are all integral to understanding Tavenraat's artistic approach. The immediacy of the medium allowed for direct engagement with the subject, with very little getting in between the artist’s eye, hand, and the natural world. Ultimately, a drawing like this challenges our notions of high art. It reminds us that artistic expression can be found in the simplest of materials and the most direct of techniques. By understanding the materials, making, and context, we can appreciate the full meaning of a seemingly simple artwork.