Notities 1839 - 1872

This page of notes was created by Johannes Tavenraat, a Dutch artist active in the first half of the 19th century. In this period in the Netherlands, there was increasing pressure for social reform. The period was shaped by burgeoning industrialization and the rise of the middle class. These jotted calculations and observations offer a private glimpse into Tavenraat’s world, revealing the everyday details that captured his attention. The mundane reality of life, such as prices and quantities of everyday items, intertwines with observations of light and form. Although seemingly simple, the act of writing and note-taking can be viewed as a means of asserting identity and control over one’s environment. By documenting his surroundings, Tavenraat engages in a process of meaning-making, shaping his understanding of the world. This page, with its quiet intimacy, reminds us that even the most ordinary moments can hold profound significance.