Steinernes Meer Possibly 1858 - 1859

Johannes Tavenraat made this drawing, Steinernes Meer, using graphite on paper in the 19th century. The sketch depicts a mountain range rendered in swift, economic lines. It's important to remember the cultural context in which Tavenraat was working. Landscape art was a significant genre in the Netherlands, reflecting the nation's pride in its natural beauty and its burgeoning sense of national identity. Artists were developing a visual vocabulary to capture the essence of the landscape around them. How, then, does this sketch of the Steinernes Meer, or "Stone Sea", fit into that tradition? Is the artist engaging with the sublime, or the picturesque, or even the scientific interests of the day? To answer these questions, we might consult travel literature and scientific documents. By placing Tavenraat’s drawing within its web of cultural and institutional associations, we can better understand its meaning and significance.