Herten in een diergaarde in Bohemen, mogelijk Marienbad 1858

Johannes Tavenraat made this drawing with pen in gray inkwash, depicting deer in a zoo in Bohemia. Note how the composition is structured to offer both a landscape and an intimate glimpse into animal life. Tavenraat masterfully uses the ink wash to create depth and shadow. The contrast between the dark, dense forest on the left and the open, light-filled space on the right draws our eye across the scene. The deer, positioned near the center, are rendered with quick, economical lines. The artist captures their form with minimal detail. The tree acts as a vertical anchor, its stark, leafless branches providing a counterpoint to the softer forms of the landscape and animals. This strategic arrangement of elements, from the dense ink work to the open spaces, speaks to the formalist concerns of balance and harmony. It also shows us how these elements function aesthetically and contribute to the overall viewing experience.