Aan de rivier de Rotte 1841 - 1853

This sketch, "Aan de rivier de Rotte" was created by Johannes Tavenraat sometime in the 19th century. Tavenraat lived through a period of significant social and political upheaval in the Netherlands, including the Napoleonic era and the subsequent restoration of the monarchy. The drawing’s free, expressive lines suggest a moment of personal reflection amidst the changing landscape. The obscured details and hurried quality of the sketch may be interpreted through the lens of Romanticism, a movement which favored emotion and individualism. We see a shifting away from the traditional, emphasizing personal experience. The notations scrawled across the work invite us to consider the artist’s process and subjective experience. The artist's notes alongside the sketch suggest an intimate connection to the scene, perhaps reflecting his own identity and history within the broader cultural landscape. The drawing becomes an exploration of the self in relation to place and time.