Wilde zwijnen 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat made this drawing, "Wild Boar," with pen in the early to mid-19th century. Tavenraat was working in the Netherlands during a period of significant social and economic change. The Dutch countryside, long romanticized, was increasingly impacted by industrialization and urbanization, leading to new representations of nature. In this intimate sketch, Tavenraat seems less interested in the dominance of man over nature and more in capturing the quiet, hidden life of these animals. The wild boars are not presented as trophies or symbols of the hunt, but are huddled together, seeking shelter. Their posture and placement, nestled between land formations, evoke vulnerability and a sense of being outside the norms of human society. The loose, expressive lines of the pen convey both the ruggedness of the boars and the fragility of their existence. There's an emotional resonance in the way Tavenraat renders the animals, suggesting a shared experience of seeking refuge. The drawing goes beyond mere representation; it touches on themes of survival and the quiet dignity of marginalized beings.