Koppen 1840 - 1880

This sheet of studies was made by Johannes Tavenraat, using pen and brown ink. Here, Tavenraat sketches several ‘koppen’, the Dutch word for heads or faces. The ink, flowing freely from the pen, enables Tavenraat to capture quick impressions. See how the density of the lines and the pooling of the ink create a sense of shadow and volume. This wasn't about polished refinement, but about quickly capturing the essence of a face, a character. The immediacy of the medium allows us a glimpse into the artist's process, a sense of his hand at work. This kind of rapid sketching was a valuable skill for artists in the 19th century. It enabled them to quickly record observations, and develop ideas for larger compositions. This work reminds us that even seemingly simple materials, like ink and paper, can be powerful tools for creative exploration.