Wagenwiel 1839 - 1872

Johannes Tavenraat made this pencil drawing, Wagenwiel, at an unknown date. The immediacy of the marks suggests a quick study, capturing the textures and structural forms of a wagon wheel and adjacent stone or wooden structure. Tavenraat’s choice of pencil allows for a remarkable range of tones, from the faintest suggestion of line to deep, shadowed areas. Look closely at the wheel itself. See how the artist used hatching and cross-hatching to define the roundness of the spokes, and the solid weight of the hub. The drawing conveys a sense of the material's inherent qualities. Consider the social context implied by the subject matter. Wagons were essential for transportation and trade, and their wheels were skillfully crafted objects. Tavenraat elevates this everyday subject through careful observation and rendering, reminding us that the division between fine art and craft is not as clear as we might think. Ultimately, it is through attention to materials, making, and context that we gain a deeper understanding of this artwork's meaning.