Koppen 1840 - 1880

This is ‘Koppen’, a drawing by Johannes Tavenraat created in the 19th century. Tavenraat lived during a time of significant social upheaval, when class divisions were stark and clearly visible. The artist renders a series of heads, each a study in physiognomy. These sketches capture a range of expressions, from the grotesque to the pitiable, inviting us to consider how individual character was publicly assessed and judged. Each of these characters, etched with distinctive features, embodies the societal types and stereotypes prevalent in Tavenraat’s era. Many have their head covered in different styles: hats and headscarves, suggesting different positions in the social hierarchy. Tavenraat challenges viewers to reflect on the diversity of human experience within a society deeply shaped by norms and prejudices. The intensity of Tavenraat’s rendering invites a personal, emotional reckoning with the complex interplay of identity, society, and individual worth.