Liggende koeien in een weiland c. 1862 - 1864

Johannes Tavenraat made this drawing of reclining cows in a meadow using graphite and ink on paper. Unlike the detailed oil paintings that were fashionable at the time, here is an artist using modest materials for a quick study from life. The paper is thin, and you can see how the ink bleeds slightly, creating soft edges. The graphite lines vary in pressure, giving weight to the cows’ bodies, and suggesting the texture of their coats. It’s fascinating to consider the amount of labor involved in agricultural production in the 19th century, as compared to the immediacy of this drawing. Tavenraat engages with the materiality of his chosen media, exploiting its potential for spontaneity and capturing fleeting moments. This kind of drawing wasn't considered ‘high art’ at the time, yet it provides intimate insight into the realities of Dutch rural life, and the artist's direct experience of it. The drawing reminds us that all artistic expression is rooted in the material world, and everyday life.