Wolf of vos Possibly 1880 - 1882

Editor: So, this is "Wolf of Vos," likely from 1880 to 1882, by Johannes Tavenraat. It's rendered in ink, using both pen and brush techniques it seems. The energy in the wolf's leap is striking, and I'm curious how you see its materiality contributing to the work's overall impact. What stands out to you? Curator: Immediately, I’m drawn to the artist's labor. Consider the physicality inherent in the repetitive strokes that define form and shadow. Tavenraat isn't simply depicting a wolf; he's actively constructing its presence through deliberate application of ink. It moves beyond representation. What do you think the implications of this method of art production were during this period, in relationship to the development of new capitalist modes? Editor: Well, with increasing industrialization, I suppose handmade works started gaining new value for being distinctively produced through human effort rather than machine. Did that perhaps imbue such artworks with different meanings, highlighting craftsmanship and individual artistic skill? Curator: Precisely! Think about the availability of paper and ink at this time – how the increased production might have democratized art-making to a certain extent. However, access to artistic training remained stratified. Do you see that tension reflected in the perceived ‘high art’ status versus the often overlooked ‘craft’ inherent in drawing like this? Editor: It’s like a push and pull, isn't it? Increased availability of materials allowed for broader participation in art-making, while simultaneously the art world reinforced distinctions in status and training. I now view this piece through the lens of the artist's choices concerning labor, his embrace of readily available yet transformative materials. It definitely enhances its reading for me. Curator: It’s this active construction using specific tools, the artist's hand literally guiding the image into existence that adds layers to its meaning. It speaks to the socio-economic conditions and artistic conventions of the time.