Gevlochten mand c. 1839 - 1872

This is a pencil drawing of a woven basket, by Johannes Tavenraat, held at the Rijksmuseum. From the early to mid-19th century, the Netherlands experienced significant socio-economic shifts. As such, the art academies of the time increasingly promoted the study of everyday objects, and artists were encouraged to depict the world around them with accuracy. This sketch could be interpreted as part of that movement, the basket transformed into an object of artistic study. There’s a social dimension to this choice too. The basket, as a handmade object, speaks to labor, tradition, and perhaps even self-sufficiency. In a time of industrial change, these themes would have resonated with contemporary audiences, whether positively or negatively. To fully understand this drawing, one might delve into the archives of the Rijksmuseum. Examination of the artist’s notes and letters, in conjunction with studies of the socio-economic conditions of the Netherlands at the time, might further illuminate the basket's cultural significance.