Schetsblad met herten 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat created this sketch sheet with deer using pen and ink. In many cultures, the deer is a symbol of gentleness and grace, but also of keen senses and virility. Across time, we see the deer motif in ancient Greek art, often associated with Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. Later, in medieval tapestries, the deer hunt became a potent symbol of nobility, sacrifice, and spiritual quest. These associations didn't emerge in a vacuum. They are deeply rooted in our collective unconscious. Consider how the depiction of the deer has changed; from the sacred animal of ancient myth to a symbol of courtly life, the deer becomes a projection screen for our desires and anxieties. This sketch engages us on a primal level, reminding us of our intertwined relationship with nature. Like the deer, we carry the weight of our history within us.