Koppen 1868

Johannes Tavenraat created "Koppen" using pen and brown ink on paper. The immediacy of ink on paper allowed Tavenraat to capture fleeting expressions and details with remarkable efficiency. The quick strokes and the way the ink bleeds slightly into the paper give the sketches a sense of life. The artist used traditional art materials for this work, but in a unique way that captures the attention of the viewer and emphasizes the handmade. By layering lines and shading, he imbues each face with volume and character. These techniques are very typical of traditional art. The amount of control and artistry it takes to create this work by hand reminds us that art exists far beyond the confines of the traditional art world. It encourages us to question what we define as art, and to appreciate the skill and labor involved in all forms of creative expression.