Kop van een paard, naar rechts Possibly 1826

Editor: Right now we’re looking at "Head of a Horse, facing right," a pencil drawing possibly from 1826 by Dirk Arnoldus Tavenraat, residing here in the Rijksmuseum. The drawing… it feels so alive, so immediate, like the artist just captured this fleeting moment. What do you see in this piece, something beyond the obvious? Curator: Oh, beyond the obvious is where the magic always hides, doesn't it? For me, this isn’t just a study of equine anatomy; it's a peek into a partnership. I imagine Tavenraat observing this horse, maybe one he knew well. Notice how the light catches the curve of its neck, the careful detail around the bridle, almost as if he’s tracing the lines of their shared history. It's tender, isn’t it? A real communion, and done with just the humble pencil. I wonder, what stories did this horse carry on its back, and what tales did Tavenraat whisper in its ear? Editor: That's lovely, the idea of a whispered history. I hadn't thought of the relationship between the artist and the horse that way, more like a detached study of form. I am interested by the horse's slightly flared nostril and subtle facial expression... like a glimpse of the horse's spirit, so different from how one might assume animals would have been perceived back then. Curator: Precisely! And isn't that the core of true portraiture, whether human or animal? To find that flicker of personality. Do you think it is more accurate that the drawing has imperfections, and a 'sketch-like' feeling, as though one is looking at the bones and spirit of the drawing? Editor: I do, actually. Thinking about it in terms of personality changes my reading of the work. It feels more intimate, less academic, and I appreciate it more now! Thanks. Curator: You're very welcome! And thank you! Seeing it through your eyes is inspiring me to continue my journey.