Eindelijk regent het !! Possibly 1880 - 1886

This is a pen drawing by Johannes Tavenraat, likely made around 1880. Here we see caricatured faces, their exaggerated expressions a study in human emotion. Note the open mouths, the upturned noses, and furrowed brows – each line contributes to a symphony of shared relief. This overt display of emotion is not isolated; it's a recurring motif throughout art history. Think of the ecstatic expressions in Bernini’s sculptures, or the tormented faces in Goya's etchings. Such expressions tap into a primal understanding of shared experience, in this case, the relief brought by rain. This collective sigh of relief echoes through time, connecting us to our ancestors who depended on the skies for sustenance. It's a potent reminder of our shared humanity, transcending the centuries.