Marie Tavenraat 1839

Here we see Marie Tavenraat, rendered in graphite on paper by Johannes Tavenraat around 1839. Graphite, in its raw form, is a soft, pliable material, directly influencing the drawing’s appearance through its varying densities. The medium allows for subtle gradations and the capture of fleeting expressions, which Tavenraat exploits to great effect. The soft, flowing lines suggest a certain intimacy and spontaneity, as if capturing a private moment. Consider the labor involved: from the mining and processing of graphite to the craftsmanship of the pencil itself. Though seemingly simple, it embodies a chain of industrial and social processes. Graphite's accessibility democratized art-making, but also obscures the labor behind it. By appreciating these material connections, we get a fuller picture of the work. Appreciating the materials, processes, and social context invites us to reconsider traditional notions of artistic value and skill.