Rivierlandschap met bergen 1840 - 1841

Johannes Tavenraat created this graphite drawing, Rivierlandschap met bergen, in the 19th century. Tavenraat's career coincided with a time of great social change, as people began to question established hierarchies and colonialism across Europe. As you look at the drawing, consider the European tradition of landscape art, often tied to notions of national identity. What does it mean to portray land, especially during a period of global expansion? How does the depiction of the landscape reinforce or challenge prevailing ideas about ownership, national pride, and control? Reflect on your own connection to the land. How does your identity shape the way you see and experience the natural world? Think about how Tavenraat's "Rivierlandschap met bergen" can serve as a lens through which to examine our relationship with the land, history, and identity.