Grazende geit bij een paal 1839 - 1872

Johannes Tavenraat sketched this goat with graphite on paper sometime in the 19th century. Graphite pencils, though seemingly simple, were revolutionary because they allowed for accessible drawing for both casual and skilled artists. Here, Tavenraat’s close attention to line weight, the pressure he exerted on the pencil, gives the goat a convincing sense of volume. The loose hatching of lines defines the animal’s form, suggesting light and shadow while capturing the texture of its fur. You can also see how he has used an economy of means, the absence of detail, to create a sense of depth within the composition. While seemingly effortless, drawing with graphite demands a high level of skill. Tavenraat’s choice of this modest material underscores the value of practice, observation, and the artist’s hand in bringing a humble subject to life. It reminds us that artistic merit isn't solely determined by opulent materials, but also by the artist’s skill in capturing the world around us.