Appelboer 1858

This is Johannes Tavenraat's 'Appelboer,' made with pen in brown ink. The artwork is structured by a stark profile view, dominated by a face etched with age and character, almost caricature. The swift, confident strokes define not just the form but also evoke a sense of the subject's rough, lived-in existence. Notice how the deep lines around the eyes and mouth suggest a lifetime of stories, perhaps of hardship or humour, while the hatching technique used to model the form adds depth, accentuating the volume of the figure's head and clothing. The artist's mark-making has a particular expressiveness that may disrupt traditional notions of beauty, instead focusing on the real, unvarnished portrayal of humanity. Through these deliberate choices in line and composition, the drawing challenges idealized representations. As you observe the economical yet evocative lines, consider how Tavenraat uses the most basic formal elements to capture the essence of a person.