Koppen en hert 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat created this pencil drawing called ‘Koppen en hert’ which translates to Heads and Deer. Tavenraat lived during a period of significant social and political change in Europe. As you look at this sketch, consider the context of 19th-century Dutch society. It was a time when Romanticism was in full swing, emphasizing emotion, individualism, and the glorification of nature. The juxtaposition of human heads with a deer raises questions about humanity's relationship with the natural world. Deer, often symbols of grace and freedom, were also subjects of the hunt, embodying themes of domination and control. These themes invite us to reflect on how we perceive our place within a complex, interconnected environment. The image raises societal questions about the connection between the human and animal worlds, and on a more personal level, about freedom and control.