Hert in het woud 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat rendered ‘Hert in het woud’ – or Deer in the Woods – in ink and watercolor, and though it's undated, we can assume it emerged sometime in the mid-19th century. The Netherlands, during Tavenraat's time, was experiencing a revival of national identity, and an artistic movement that emphasized distinctly Dutch themes. The forests and wildlife of the Netherlands became symbols of national pride and cultural identity. Tavenraat's choice of subject reflects the romantic notions of nature prevalent during that era. With its energetic washes of ink and watercolour, the artwork is as much about the mood and fleeting impression, as it is about the deer itself. It’s a study of light and form, characteristic of the Hague School. To understand Tavenraat’s place in Dutch art, you might consult exhibition catalogs and period reviews of his work. These resources would shed light on how his contemporaries viewed his artistic contributions. Art is always contingent on the social and institutional context in which it was made.