Boom met dertien stammen op het landgoed Rhederoord 1833

Johannes Tavenraat made this pencil drawing of a tree with thirteen trunks at Rhederoord estate. This work gives us a glimpse into Tavenraat's world through his skilled handling of graphite on paper. The softness of the pencil allows for a range of subtle tones, capturing the texture of the tree bark. The deliberate use of light and shadow brings the tree to life on the page, and the layering of lines creates a sense of depth and dimension. Although this scene depicts nature, it reflects the human labor that went into maintaining the designed landscape of the Rhederoord estate. The controlled environment and the artist's careful observation reminds us of the way nature was consumed as a status symbol. The drawing is a reflection of a society where land ownership and artistic skill were intertwined with power and privilege.