Vrouw in een lange jurk, uit verschillende aanzichten gezien 1840

This 1840 drawing by Johannes Tavenraat, currently held in the Rijksmuseum, is a series of sketches exploring the human form. The artist focuses on capturing the silhouette of a woman in a long dress, from different angles, using simple, gestural lines. This study exemplifies the academic tradition of figure drawing, crucial for developing artistic skill and understanding of the human body, which would inform Tavenraat's larger, more finished paintings. The loose, expressive lines and dynamic poses suggest a sense of movement and energy, revealing Tavenraat's interest in capturing the ephemeral nature of human movement.