Drie baarzen 1840 - 1880

Curator: This is "Drie baarzen," or "Three Perch," by Johannes Tavenraat, created sometime between 1840 and 1880. It’s currently held here at the Rijksmuseum. What are your initial thoughts? Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the simple beauty of this sketch. It’s a glimpse into the artist’s process, really showcasing the materials – pen and ink, perhaps some wash, on toned paper. It feels very immediate. Curator: Indeed. These three perch offer insight into a genre tradition but equally reveal something beyond the surface. Consider the cultural significance of fish – a symbol of abundance, fertility, and even transformation in various mythologies. Do you see that reflected here? Editor: It makes me think about Tavenraat’s social context and artistic choices here. Why perch? They were likely locally available, readily observable. This wasn't some exotic species, but everyday subject matter. This emphasis elevates craft, the ability to find art in the mundane, over some grand narrative. Curator: That’s a fair point. Yet I also see Tavenraat's attempt to immortalize these ordinary creatures, rendering them symbols through art. There's almost a silent narrative embedded within these subtle shades of gray, the texture providing volume and depth to an image one would easily dismiss. Editor: Agreed! And those very choices contribute to its visual impact. You sense the economy of line, how quickly the artist captures these forms. The toned paper really lends this depth we mentioned. But at the heart of it, its inherent materiality remains integral to understanding the intent, not an allegorical concept, but a direct result of process. Curator: Absolutely. We might say this artwork bridges high and low – a confluence of ordinary subject matter presented with fine artistic sensibilities. What are your final thoughts as we move on? Editor: It’s a wonderful reminder to slow down and look at the ordinary. It shows how skilled craft and an understanding of materials elevate the everyday into something worth preserving. Curator: A contemplative observation—reminding us that artistry doesn’t always require grandeur. Even a humble drawing of perch can echo enduring symbols of life, endurance, and ingenuity.