Kop van een vos 1819 - 1881

This is Johannes Tavenraat's 'Head of a Fox', a pencil drawing made sometime in the 19th century. The drawing presents us with a study in tonal variation achieved through the singular medium of graphite. Observe how Tavenraat uses closely hatched lines to construct the fox's form, creating darker values around the neck, giving way to lighter tones on its face. Note the acute attention to the animal's anatomy, particularly the rendering of the eyes and ears, which are depicted with sharp, decisive lines that capture their attentive alertness. The structural simplicity of the composition draws us into the nuanced expression of the fox, where formal elements intersect with a broader discourse on representation and perception. This seemingly straightforward drawing invites us to consider the role of the artist as an observer and interpreter of nature, mediating our understanding of the animal world through the careful arrangement of line and tone.