Berekeningen en reisschema 1840 - 1868

This page of calculations and itinerary notes was jotted down in pen by Johannes Tavenraat sometime in the 1860s. Tavenraat lived at a time when the Netherlands was undergoing significant social and economic changes. Looking at the context, we can see that the growth of trade and industry led to an increase in travel, both for business and leisure. Institutions like the postal service and the railways were expanding to meet the demands of this new mobile society. His notes reflect this spirit of progress and exploration. The jottings and calculations on this page offer us a glimpse into the daily life of a 19th-century Dutchman. To understand Tavenraat’s place in society, we could consult city directories, genealogical records, and other archival sources, to create a richer picture of his life and times. Art, after all, is always embedded in the social and institutional contexts of its making.