Paard (uitgeknipt) 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat made this watercolor drawing of a horse at an unknown date. There’s a formal grace to the horse, its arched neck and lifted leg, that speaks to the symbolism of the animal, associated with nobility, power, and, of course, the military. In 19th-century Netherlands, these images of horses appear in a wide range of paintings, drawings, and prints. Consider how the rise of Romanticism shaped the way artists like Tavenraat turned to nature as a source of inspiration. His work reflects a growing interest in capturing the essence of the natural world, rather than simply depicting it realistically. To understand Tavenraat's artistic development, we might delve into archival records, tracing his connections to artistic circles and institutions of his time. It is through understanding the social conditions that we truly appreciate the full richness of art.