Rivierlandschap 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat made this river landscape using pen and brush with India ink on paper. The delicate strokes and washes capture the flat, watery landscape of the Netherlands, complete with windmills and boats. The choice of India ink is significant. It’s a pigment traditionally made from soot, often from burning vegetable matter or oil, mixed with a binder. This connects the artwork to industries that create residue, literally turning waste into art. The thin, fluid nature of the ink allows for quick, expressive lines, giving the impression of a scene rapidly captured, en plein air. This method aligns the work with a direct, personal experience of the landscape. The sketch-like quality, the visible hand of the artist, and the reliance on simple materials all emphasize the act of making. It reminds us that even a humble drawing can convey the beauty and significance of the everyday world.