Kop 1840 - 1880

Editor: Right, next up we have “Kop,” a pen and ink drawing created sometime between 1840 and 1880 by Johannes Tavenraat, housed here at the Rijksmuseum. It's immediately striking... a quick sketch of a character with an enormous hat! What jumps out at you when you look at it? Curator: You know, I find him rather endearing! There’s a certain gentleness to the line work, despite the exaggerated features. It’s more affectionate ribbing than cruel caricature, don't you think? I find myself wondering about the person he actually was and Tavenraat’s impression. Was he a figure of local renown? A quirky neighbour, perhaps? Or is the subject an idea – a ‘Kop’, if you will? A social commentary dressed in ink? Editor: Hmm, that’s an interesting point. It definitely has that romantic-era focus on character, even if exaggerated. I guess the sheer size of the hat is what threw me. But, I think I see the 'affectionate ribbing' you mentioned; do you find this a successful image, even if unfinished? Curator: Oh, absolutely! It possesses this immediacy, this palpable sense of connection, doesn’t it? A single moment caught in sepia tones… Tavenraat's able to conjure personality with just a few deft strokes! Don’t you feel you *know* him, somehow? It is both a celebration and a contemplation of character, isn't it? That simple observation, recorded with empathy, speaks across centuries. What do you think? Editor: I do. And now I can’t unsee that warmth that shines through despite the caricature! Looking closely has definitely opened my eyes to the story it's telling beyond just the humorous surface. Thanks for that.