Tanger 1867 - 1925

Hendrik Johannes Haverman made this drawing of Tangier using graphite on paper. The artwork presents a street scene in Tangier, capturing a moment of daily life in this Moroccan city. Haverman's choice of subject reflects a broader Orientalist trend in European art, where artists looked to the Middle East and North Africa for exotic and picturesque themes. These images create meaning through specific visual codes, such as the architecture, clothing, and people. The depiction of local inhabitants, often idealized or stereotyped, catered to European audiences' fascination with "the Orient." The artistic style and medium also speak to Haverman's institutional background and artistic training. To fully appreciate it, one might consult travel literature, colonial archives, and studies of Orientalism in art history. Ultimately, this drawing serves as a reminder that art is always shaped by its social context and institutional setting.