Hoofd van man met hoed, in profiel naar rechts 1819 - 1881

Johannes Tavenraat made this ink drawing, titled 'Head of a Man with a Hat, in Profile to the Right' sometime in the mid-19th century. Drawings such as this one offer a glimpse into the visual culture of the Netherlands at a time of great social change. The profile view is a clear visual code that lends itself well to physiognomy, a pseudoscience in vogue at the time that claimed to read character from facial features. This interest in types reflects the increasing professionalization of the arts, and the growing middle-class interest in art as a means of social distinction. Tavenraat lived during a time in which the Netherlands underwent significant political and economic change, including the end of the Dutch Golden Age and the rise of industrialization, all influencing the art of the period. Understanding these shifts allows the historian to interpret this drawing not just as a portrait, but as a product of its specific social and institutional context. By examining the artistic conventions, the social discourses, and the economic structures of 19th-century Netherlands, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the cultural significance of this unassuming work.