Koppen 1861 - 1862

Johannes Tavenraat drew this sketch, Koppen, with graphite, at an unknown date. We see here two head studies facing each other in profile: one of a man with modern dress, and the other a figure in what appears to be historical garb. While the artist, Tavenraat, may have been using the figures for simple exercise, the fact that they are drawn in conversation, implies that there is a particular contrast being made. Tavenraat was a 19th-century Dutch artist who lived through a period of social change. His work was exhibited at the Exhibition of Living Masters in Amsterdam. Artists showing at these institutions had to consider how their art related to the taste of the time, and how it would be received by the public and critics. This suggests that the artist was aware of the political function of imagery. To further interpret this piece, one might consult period sources from the Dutch art world or exhibition reviews. These can help us better understand the cultural values that shaped Tavenraat’s artistic choices.