Koeien in een weiland en een laan bij de schietbaan in Crooswijk 1870

Johannes Tavenraat made this pencil drawing of cows in a meadow and a lane near the shooting range in Crooswijk. The texture of the laid paper is integral to the artwork, as the pencil catches on the tiny ridges in the page. The softness of the graphite allows Tavenraat to create subtle tonal variations, bringing the rural scene to life. He depicts the working landscape, in which animals and people coexist, as well as documenting a shooting range, which would have been a leisure spot for the middle classes. Drawings like this were vital to the development of 19th-century art. They served as studies for larger paintings, allowing artists to explore compositions and refine their technique. But they were also an important means of capturing everyday life in a rapidly changing world. Tavenraat's drawing embodies a moment in time, providing a glimpse into the social and economic context of the Dutch countryside. It reminds us of the importance of craft and material in understanding an artwork's cultural significance.