Waterval tegen een rotswand Possibly 1858 - 1859

Editor: Here we have Johannes Tavenraat's "Waterfall Against a Rock Wall," likely created between 1858 and 1859. It’s a pencil drawing on paper held in the Rijksmuseum. The sketch-like quality makes it feel ephemeral. How do you interpret this work in terms of its formal elements? Curator: Indeed, the 'ephemeral' nature you observe stems directly from Tavenraat’s line work. Notice the strategic variations in the density and direction of the lines. The sketch exploits contrasts of light and dark within a very narrow tonal range, effectively describing the textures of both the rock and water, would you agree? Editor: Absolutely, there’s a tangible sense of depth and ruggedness created just through the pressure of the pencil. But what about the blank space on the left page? Does that choice have significance? Curator: Precisely. The juxtaposition of the densely worked right page and the nearly untouched left serves a vital structural purpose. The negative space focuses the eye and sharpens the impact of the artist's meticulous detailing. The composition itself, with the waterfall off-center, amplifies the dynamism. What do you make of the notes inscribed in both margins? Editor: I hadn't considered that as a choice contributing to the balance of the composition. The notes—perhaps a guide to colour? Do you think they should be considered a part of the artwork or a separate study? Curator: One might argue that their presence, however ancillary they may seem, contributes to the raw, unpolished nature of the work. A complete piece would have contained none. The added script unveils Tavenraat’s meticulous process in its primordial stages. What we see here is the genesis of a composition and how it breathes as one entity, lines and script interplaying. Editor: I see your point. I learned to really consider how every part contributes to the whole piece, even what seems like an accidental element. Curator: And I, to be reminded that utility does not undermine beauty.