Paarden en karikaturale koppen 1835 - 1845

Johannes Tavenraat made this pen and brown ink drawing, now at the Rijksmuseum, using rapid, economical lines to capture caricature heads and horses on a small piece of paper. The overall effect is a dynamic interplay of line and form, suggesting movement and spontaneity. The composition is organized as a seemingly random collection of heads and horses, yet the intentional arrangement creates a sense of depth and interaction. Notice how the faces are rendered with exaggerated features, each line contributing to a caricature. The artist utilizes cross-hatching to create depth. The horses provide a contrast with their relatively naturalistic depiction. Through these formal choices, Tavenraat engages with a tradition of caricature and animal studies but also challenges conventional representation. The piece destabilizes traditional artistic values through its emphasis on immediacy and expression. This drawing remains a site of ongoing dialogue about the nature of representation.