Planten c. 1862 - 1864

This sketchbook page, "Planten," was made by Johannes Tavenraat sometime in the 19th century. It's a simple graphite drawing on paper, common materials for sketching and note-taking, which democratized the process of art-making. The choice of graphite and paper influences the artwork's appearance, creating a delicate and ephemeral quality. Graphite, with its soft, grey tones, allows for subtle gradations of light and shadow, while the paper provides a textured surface for the artist's hand to interact with. The marks on the page – the quick strokes and notations – are evidence of Tavenraat's direct engagement with the natural world. He's using the sketchbook as a tool for observation and documentation, capturing the essence of the plants. This piece invites us to think about the value we place on different kinds of artistic labor. While a finished painting might be seen as a high art object, a simple sketch like this reveals the artist's process, the careful observation, and the intimate connection to the subject.