Twee koppen 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat made this sketch, "Twee Koppen," on paper in the Netherlands during the 19th century. It captures two men in profile, one wearing a top hat, in quick, confident lines. Such studies were common within the European academic tradition that shaped Tavenraat's artistic training. Institutions like the Royal Academy in Amsterdam promoted rigorous draftsmanship as the foundation for history painting and portraiture. These skills were seen as crucial for artists seeking patronage from the era's elite. The men's prominent features and somewhat caricatured depiction could reflect an interest in physiognomy, a popular pseudo-science at the time that sought to link physical appearance with character. By studying the records of art academies and the social networks of artists, we can gain insight into the norms that defined artistic success in Tavenraat's time. This sketch isn't just a study of faces, it’s a product of its social and institutional context.