Twee koppen 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat sketched "Twee Koppen" with pen on paper, presenting two faces in profile. Notice how the faces evoke archetypes rather than portraits of distinct individuals. The hat, a recurring motif across epochs, speaks of identity, status, and concealment. Here, it casts a shadow, suggesting both protection and an obscuring of the self. The jutting jaws and prominent noses carry echoes of caricatures from ancient Roman theatre, embodying types of arrogance or rustic wit. Consider how such facial exaggerations have persisted – from Daumier's political cartoons to contemporary street art – each time adapting to new social contexts while retaining a primal power to evoke instant recognition and judgement. These features trigger a subconscious response, tapping into a collective memory bank of facial expressions that convey character and emotion. Such sketches are not mere recordings but distillations, revealing the enduring human impulse to categorize and comment on our shared nature. Thus, Tavenraat's faces become timeless reflections in an ever-turning mirror.