Hond met een jachtbuit naast een jager die tegen een boom leunt 1862 - 1864

Johannes Tavenraat made this drawing of a hunter, dog, and slain animals with pen in brown ink, likely in the Netherlands during the first half of the 19th century. The swift, confident strokes of the pen work wonders in depicting light and shadow, giving form to the figures. Tavenraat employed hatching and cross-hatching to build up tonal depth, a traditional technique used to create volume with simple means. Notice how the ink pools in certain areas, creating darker accents that emphasize the weight and texture of the animals' fur. The gestural quality suggests a certain efficiency, as if the artist was capturing a fleeting moment. This sketch is imbued with the social and cultural significance of hunting, a traditional pastime for the wealthy. The artist emphasizes the labor of hunting, while also hinting at the social hierarchies inherent in access to land and resources. By looking closely at the materials and the way Tavenraat has handled them, we can see the full meaning of the artwork, pushing against traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.