Schetsen van koppen en hazen 1819 - 1881

Johannes Tavenraat made this drawing of heads and hares with pen and ink sometime in the 19th century. Tavenraat was Dutch, and though undated, this work evokes the tradition of Dutch character studies, where artists would create sketches of ‘types’ as a way of cataloging and commenting on the social structures of the time. Here, the figures appear grotesque, with exaggerated noses and grimacing expressions. The hares seem to be running away from them, perhaps as a symbol of the social mobility that was becoming more prevalent at the time. Consider that Dutch art was undergoing a transition in the 19th century, moving away from its traditional focus on realism and towards more Romantic and expressive styles. The historian might research into the social conditions of the Netherlands during this period. Understanding more about the culture in which Tavenraat was working allows us to interpret the drawing in a richer and more nuanced way.