Drie roofvogels Possibly 1870 - 1872

Johannes Tavenraat sketched "Three Birds of Prey" using pen in brown ink on paper. Look closely at how Tavenraat uses rapid, energetic lines to define the forms of the birds. The stark contrast between the light paper and the dark ink creates a dramatic effect, almost as if we've stumbled upon a fleeting, urgent observation. The composition is intriguing, with two birds centrally positioned and a third lurking in the background. This arrangement, combined with the birds' intense gaze, evokes a sense of surveillance, almost as if we are being watched. There is a raw energy in Tavenraat's mark-making, emphasizing the predatory nature of the subjects. The drawing is less about precise representation and more about capturing the essence and vitality of these creatures. Consider how the formal elements in Tavenraat's sketch—the lines, the composition, and the stark contrast—serve to highlight not just the appearance of these birds, but also their role as potent symbols of the wild. In the end, this tension between observation and interpretation is what continues to make this piece so thought-provoking.