Twee studies van een dode haas Possibly 1874

Johannes Tavenraat rendered these two studies of a dead hare in pen and brown ink in 1879. It’s a straightforward application of traditional materials, in the service of close observation. But consider: this wasn't just an exercise in technique. Hunting was an activity with deep social and economic implications. The right to hunt was often restricted to the upper classes, making images like this a kind of vicarious participation. We know Tavenraat made many drawings of animals, and it’s interesting to think of this one as a study in mortality, and also in the preparation of food. The swift, assured lines of the drawing suggest a professional facility, a skill acquired through dedicated practice. Note how Tavenraat captures the limpness of the dead animal, the soft fur, the slack limbs. Ultimately, it's a reminder that even the most apparently simple image can have a rich context of social practices, labor, and even politics behind it.