Schetsen van een etend paard 1834 - 1911

Jozef Israëls made this pencil drawing, entitled "Sketches of a feeding horse," at an unknown date. Israëls was a Dutch painter known for his sentimental scenes of peasant life, often reflecting the hardships and realities of rural existence. This simple sketch, now held at the Rijksmuseum, offers us insight into the cultural value placed on agricultural labor during the 19th century in the Netherlands, but also the infrastructure surrounding its production. Horses, like those rendered here, were essential for farming and transportation. The detailed harness on the horse tells us of the significance of this animal's position as a working animal within Dutch society. Israëls’ focus on the horse suggests an interest in the working class and their connection to the land. To fully appreciate such a sketch, historians often turn to archival materials, such as agricultural records, personal letters, and even literature, to better understand the social and economic conditions that shaped both the artist's perspective and the lives of those he depicted.