Blad met schetsen van koppen, een koe en een haas 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat created this sketch of heads, a cow and a hare in the Netherlands, some time in the mid-19th century. Looking at these studies, we might wonder what Tavenraat intended for them. Were they simply exercises, or were they part of a larger project? The faces, with their exaggerated features, may have been character studies for narrative paintings, which were popular at the time. The cow and hare, on the other hand, suggest an interest in rural life, reflecting the period’s growing awareness of the natural world. Understanding the social role of the artist in 19th-century Netherlands helps us to see how Tavenraat negotiated his position within a rapidly changing society. A professional artist no longer served at the whim of the church. The artist was now free to explore their own interests, whether that be social commentary or character studies, and that freedom allowed for an investigation into the non-urban life of the country, as well. By researching Tavenraat’s other works and the artistic trends of his time, we can gain a richer understanding of this modest sketch and its place within the broader cultural landscape.