Haas 1840 - 1880

This rapid sketch of a hare was created by Johannes Tavenraat using pen and brown ink on paper. Notice how the artist used quick, overlapping strokes to capture the animal's fur and sense of motion. The immediacy of the sketch gives it a fresh, lively quality, as if the hare is about to leap off the page. But let's also consider the process and materials. The choice of pen and ink, a relatively inexpensive and accessible medium, suggests that this was likely a study, a way for Tavenraat to hone his skills in observation and depiction. It's worth remembering that paper itself was becoming increasingly industrialized during this period, making it more readily available to artists. While this work may seem simple, it reflects broader shifts in the relationship between artistic practice and the means of production. It reminds us to appreciate the skill involved in capturing a fleeting moment, and the subtle ways in which materials and making contribute to our understanding of the world.