Koppen 1840 - 1880

This sheet of studies, "Koppen," by Johannes Tavenraat, was made using pen in brown ink, on paper. The artist explores character through the human face. The artist’s hand is highly present here. It is not just the likeness of these heads that Tavenraat was after, but also the gesture of drawing itself, and the quality of the line made possible by the pen in his hand. Note the ways in which the ink bleeds into the paper, creating effects of shadow and texture. These sketches demonstrate the intimacy of drawing, and the simple means by which an artist can capture something of the human condition. The artist must have been working quickly, trying to capture the essence of each figure. The artist explores the possibilities of the medium and its potential to be both expressive and precise. The ease with which the work was made belies the skill involved. The artist's hand moves freely across the surface, bringing to life the material qualities of ink and paper.