Koppen 1840 - 1880

This invitation to a political meeting was created in the 19th century by Johannes Tavenraat, using pen and ink on paper. What might otherwise be a mundane announcement is enlivened by the artist’s rapid, evocative lines. Note the caricature-like faces, dashed off with swift strokes, bordering the invitation's text. They are rendered with a minimum of effort, yet possess a strong graphic presence. We can imagine Tavenraat quickly sketching these while considering the event he was advertising. Although it is a modest object, the invitation suggests a good deal about the time in which it was made. In particular, the rise of print culture, alongside that of political organizing. It underscores the extent to which drawing, often considered a fine art practice, has also served the needs of everyday life. We are reminded that all such objects owe their existence to artistic labor. By looking closely at the ways in which things are made, we can better appreciate the ingenuity behind them.