Koppen 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat created this drawing, titled "Koppen," using pen in the nineteenth century. The sheet shows the artist’s interest in capturing distinct facial features. The profiles, drawn with precision, evoke more than just likeness; they convey a sense of character and introspection. Consider the recurring profile motif. Since antiquity, the profile has served to immortalize rulers on coins and to capture individual essence in portraiture. Even the simple act of observing a profile taps into our inherent ability to read faces for emotion and intention. Here, the artist strips away the external trappings of status and focuses solely on the bare features: the set of the jaw, the furrow of the brow, the curve of the nose. This focus engages our primal instincts, inviting us to interpret the feelings and stories etched into each face. It's a timeless dance between observation and interpretation.