Paarden 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat made this sketch of horses with pen in the early to mid-19th century, a period marked by significant shifts in European society. Tavenraat, working in the Netherlands, lived in a time when the rise of the middle class changed the art world. His choice of subject matter, horses, reflects the era's fascination with nature, but also gestures to class distinctions as horses were associated with wealth. Notice how the animals are quickly sketched, capturing their movement and energy. What do these studies of animals tell us about our relationship to the natural world? Tavenraat's sketch invites us to consider the intersections of nature, class, and artistic expression in the 19th century. As you reflect on this piece, consider how our perceptions of animals and nature continue to be shaped by cultural and historical contexts.