Twee paarden 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat made this drawing of two horses in pen and brown ink sometime in the 19th century. The image, now held at the Rijksmuseum, offers more than just a glimpse into the artist's technical skill; it's a window into the cultural values and social structures of the Netherlands at the time. Consider the Dutch Golden Age, when paintings of livestock, particularly horses, symbolized wealth and status. Even in the 19th century, the horse retained its associations with aristocracy and military power. This drawing, with its attention to musculature and pose, echoes that tradition. But Tavenraat's informal sketch also marks a departure. As art academies grew in influence, artists were encouraged to study anatomy and movement directly from life. Drawings like this one record that shift. To truly understand this artwork, historians delve into Dutch social history, exploring how artistic training was evolving and the changing role of animals in Dutch society. This drawing serves as a reminder that art is always embedded in a specific social and institutional context.