Pijlstaarteend 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat made this drawing of a Pintail Duck in the 19th century using pen and brown ink and brush in brown and gray. The quick, confident strokes and washes of the pen and brush reveal Tavenraat’s keen observation and skill. Notice the way the brown ink varies in tone, creating depth and shadow. The artist's hand is evident in the application of ink to paper, showing a direct connection between eye, mind, and skilled hand. Tavenraat’s drawing provides insight into a world where close observation of nature was valued. This drawing would have been made possible by artisanal production – of paper, pigments, and brushes. The very immediacy of this artwork helps us appreciate the importance of materials, making, and context in understanding its meaning. The image invites us to consider the relationship between craft, art, and the natural world.