Gezicht op de Wollefopse Plas bij Rotterdam 1833

Johannes Tavenraat created this intriguing drawing, "Gezicht op de Wollefopse Plas bij Rotterdam", in 1855. At first glance, the sketch appears divided, almost like two separate studies juxtaposed on a single page. On the left, a landscape is rendered with vertical lines creating a sense of depth. To the right, horses are depicted in various poses, their forms defined with delicate lines and shading. These are not just observational studies; they represent a deliberate fragmentation of visual space. The use of line, rather than colour, dominates, giving the work a graphic quality that emphasizes form. Tavenraat destabilizes the traditional landscape by segmenting it, inviting us to consider each element distinctly and how they interact. The seemingly disparate elements—landscape and animals—mirror the artist’s analytical approach to form, reflecting broader ideas about perception and representation. The sketch serves as a semiotic exercise, where the artist uses visual signs to compose a scene.