Gezadeld paard, in draf 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat made this dynamic drawing of a horse in trot with pen in gray ink. The composition centres on the horse, captured mid-stride. Tavenraat's use of rapid, thin lines creates a sense of movement and energy. Notice how the lines vary in thickness and intensity, adding depth and shadow to the figure, particularly around the horse's musculature and joints. This not only conveys anatomical detail but also animates the animal, giving it a palpable sense of vitality. The sparseness of the background—merely a suggestion of ground—focuses our attention on the horse itself. This abstraction shifts our reading from a literal depiction of a horse in a landscape to an exploration of form and dynamism. The swift, economical lines serve as signs, which capture the essence of the horse's movement. Consider how Tavenraat destabilizes fixed meanings, inviting us to see beyond representation and to consider the underlying structure of movement.