Rijtje koppen 1840 - 1880

'Rijtje koppen' is a small pen drawing by Johannes Tavenraat. Born in Rotterdam in the early 19th century, Tavenraat lived through a period of immense social change and political upheaval. This work captures a series of quick, informal character studies. They are reminiscent of the rapid sketches one might find in the margins of a notebook. The artist's choice of subject - common people, captured in unidealized form - speaks to the growing democratisation of art during this time. There is an intimacy to these portrayals; the artist seems less interested in documenting physical likeness and more with capturing a sense of the individual's inner life. Do they reflect the artist's own experiences and social observations? The raw, gestural quality of Tavenraat's lines lends these figures a sense of immediacy and vulnerability. It is a quiet testament to the rich tapestry of human experience that exists beyond the realm of official portraiture.