Koppen 1840 - 1880

This is a pen sketch of head studies, made by Johannes Tavenraat. Notice how Tavenraat used pen and ink on paper, a readily available and portable material in the 19th century, allowing artists to capture fleeting observations and experiment with form. The fluid nature of ink allowed Tavenraat to quickly define shapes and add depth through hatching and cross-hatching. It is through this direct approach that we glimpse the artist's hand. The choice of such humble materials speaks volumes, offering an immediacy absent from more laboured art forms. The work involved would have been relatively quick compared to painting or sculpture, allowing the artist to focus on capturing expressions and attitudes. It shows Tavenraat fully engaged with his world, recording the faces of those around him with remarkable empathy.