Herdershoorn uit Materborn in Kleef 1839 - 1872

This sketch of a herder’s horn was made by Johannes Tavenraat. The medium is graphite on paper. The drawing depicts a horn, likely made from an animal’s horn, a material readily available in rural communities. It shows the transformation of a simple, natural resource into a functional tool, reflecting the ingenuity and resourcefulness of rural life. The texture of the horn itself is subtly indicated through the artist's use of shading, emphasizing its organic form. The careful rendering of the horn suggests an appreciation for the craftsmanship involved in its creation, while its connection to the herder’s daily work situates it firmly within a specific social context. In this way, Tavenraat elevates a mundane object to a subject worthy of artistic attention. It reminds us that art is not confined to traditional materials or high art subjects, but can be found in the everyday objects that shape our lives.