Herten in het bos 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat made this drawing of deer in a forest with pen and brown ink. The sketch shows us deer in a forest, a subject that connects to a broader interest in naturalism across Europe in the nineteenth century. Landscape painting in the Netherlands had become popular as artists started to seek out new forms of expression that would reflect their national identity. Artists went out of their studios to paint ‘en plein air’ and capture the essence of the Dutch landscape and wildlife. Deer, like windmills and tulip fields, came to be emblems of Dutch national identity. To better understand this drawing, archival research into Tavenraat's influences and the artistic trends of the time is essential. By situating the artwork within its historical, cultural, and institutional context, we gain a richer understanding of its meaning and significance.