Kop 1840 - 1880

This head study was made by Johannes Tavenraat probably during the mid 19th century. It’s a quick sketch done with pen and ink, depicting a man in profile. The drawing is on a flyer for the "Rotterdamsche Vereeniging Kunstlievend," or Rotterdam Art Lovers' Association. These societies were a vital part of the Dutch art world, providing a venue for artists to exhibit and sell their work to a local audience. This context suggests a more intimate and localized art scene, which is a striking contrast to the grand international exhibitions that began to dominate the art market later in the century. To fully understand Tavenraat's artistic choices, we might look at the exhibition records of the Rotterdam Art Lovers' Association. This would tell us about the prevailing artistic tastes of the time. We can interpret this artwork in terms of the specific social and institutional circumstances that shaped its creation.