Twee hazen en een paard 1868

Johannes Tavenraat sketched "Two Hares and a Horse" with pen in brown ink in the 19th century, a period defined by its class structures and traditional views. This seemingly simple study of animals offers us a glimpse into the cultural values of the time, when depictions of nature were often tied to ideas of social order. Consider how animals were frequently used as symbols to represent human characteristics. What do you make of the contrast between the dynamic, lively hares and the static, almost skeletal horse? Tavenraat's choice to portray these animals could reflect the hierarchical relationships within society, where freedom and vitality might be seen as the domain of the lower classes, while the upper classes were often portrayed with a certain restraint. Ultimately, this piece invites us to reflect on how representations of the natural world can reveal the complex ways in which we understand ourselves and our place in society.