Houten ladder en een liggende hond 1839 - 1872

Johannes Tavenraat made this sketch of a wooden ladder and a reclining dog with graphite on paper in the 19th century. The drawing’s qualities are defined by the intrinsic properties of graphite – its darkness, its slight sheen, and the way it adheres to the paper's surface. Notice how Tavenraat masterfully uses graphite to capture the texture of the wood and the soft fur of the dog. The ladder, an object of everyday utility, is rendered with the same care and attention as the resting dog. The work is a good example of draftsmanship, where the artist uses a humble material to capture the likeness of the objects. By focusing on the material qualities and everyday subject matter, Tavenraat blurs the line between fine art and the more quotidian realities of labor, and our relationship with the animal world.