Trappist 1839

This is Trappist, a drawing made in 1839 by Johannes Tavenraat using pencil and brush in brown ink. The choice of drawing as a medium is interesting here, as it directly references the hand of the artist. The lines on the paper show us every mark, every change of direction and pressure. You can see the way Tavenraat worked, building up the image slowly, layer by layer. You may notice that the quality of the lines varies, as though some parts were drawn with more confidence and others with more hesitation. The use of brown ink gives the drawing a sense of warmth and intimacy, emphasizing the humble and contemplative nature of the monk. In this quiet observation, Tavenraat emphasizes the importance of materials and process in understanding an artwork's full meaning. It challenges any separation between fine art and craft.