Notities en berekeningen 1854 - 1868

Curator: Looking at this drawing, one can see how mathematics and practicality intersect within the artist's mind. The Rijksmuseum holds this sketch by Johannes Tavenraat, titled "Notities en berekeningen," dating back to between 1854 and 1868. Editor: It gives off an almost secret, personal impression. The pale paper and hurried, almost nervous script, definitely make me feel as if I am reading someone's private thoughts, their observations recorded on the fly. Curator: It is fascinating to see geometric forms interspersed with the almost frenetic, handwritten calculations. These visual elements carry an almost diagrammatic clarity while juxtaposed with what seems like shopping lists and quantities. I sense a struggle here: How does he relate mathematical truth to daily routines, to life’s work and art? Editor: Indeed, but the seemingly mundane elements hold their own significance. Quantities of materials suggest a particular practice and production process; “2 1/2 vat” implies volume or weight that will determine some task at hand, reflecting his institutional relationships and perhaps even patronage. Even the choice of paper as a readily available and informal medium reflects his artistic habits. Curator: True. And beyond the literal measurements and material quantities, I believe the numbers, angles and lines create an underlying symbolic structure that hints at a desire for rational order. These recurring forms have held symbolic value throughout history: the inherent human inclination to seek perfection and stability amid uncertainty and flux. Editor: And his context undoubtedly plays a large part. These kinds of calculated notes tell the story of artists during that era needing to find both practical ways to make work, and maybe trying to reach a state of some kind of intellectual wholeness. It seems artists juggled material and theoretical concerns just as we still do today. Curator: Yes, looking at the artwork through a cultural lens enriches its reading immensely; I was caught initially by the visual contrast alone. Thanks for shining a light on all those relevant artistic frameworks. Editor: Of course! The symbols and everydayness of visual making, I feel, provide such powerful meaning that helps us reflect on past practices in our current times.