Burchtruïne Possibly 1870 - 1878

Johannes Tavenraat made this washed pen drawing called "Burchtruïne" in the Netherlands sometime in the 19th century. The ruined castle in this drawing is a popular subject for romantic artists. It speaks to ideas about the passage of time and the transience of human endeavor. We know that Tavenraat trained at the Hague Academy, which was at the time a very influential art school. The Dutch academies promoted a very careful and realistic style, but Tavenraat's slightly blurred and sketch-like style suggests that he was also interested in the more expressive possibilities of artmaking. The contrast between the crumbling architecture and the small figures and animals in the foreground reminds us of nature's ability to outlast human creations. The landscape in this drawing is a potent reminder that no matter how grand our structures, nature will eventually take over.