Landschap c. 1839 - 1872

This pencil drawing titled, "Landschap," was made by Johannes Tavenraat sometime between 1809 and 1881. Tavenraat lived during a time of significant social change in the Netherlands, and his artistic practice reflects both the natural world and his own observations. His sketches invite reflection on how we perceive and interact with our surroundings. The landscape is only a suggestion, allowing one to overlay their own experiences onto the vista. The handwritten text is integrated into the drawing, and reveals the artist’s thinking as he looks at the environment. As we reflect on Tavenraat's "Landschap," consider the ways in which our own identities shape our interpretation of the world around us. What histories do we carry with us as we look upon this landscape, and how do they influence what we see? By leaving the image as a sketch, Tavenraat invites us to participate in the landscape. It is a meditation on memory, perception, and the personal narratives we construct in our minds.