Paard staande in het veld 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat created this expressive pen drawing of a horse standing in a field. Tavenraat was working in the Netherlands during a time of significant social and political change. His art reflects a deep connection to the Dutch landscape and rural life. This drawing, with its solitary horse, invites contemplation about our relationship to the natural world. The horse, a traditional symbol of strength and freedom, is rendered here with a sense of quiet vulnerability. Consider how Tavenraat’s choice to depict the horse alone in a field shapes our understanding of both the animal and the landscape. Does it evoke a sense of melancholy, or does it invite a more profound reflection on the place of nature in an increasingly industrialized world? The simplicity and directness of the drawing allow for an intimate encounter with the subject, inviting us to consider the emotional lives of animals and our ethical responsibilities towards them.