Haar van een meisje c. 1885 - 1911

Jozef Israëls sketched 'Haar van een meisje' on paper, now held at the Rijksmuseum. Israëls was a leading figure in the Hague School, a group of Dutch artists who sought to capture the everyday lives of ordinary people. This intimate drawing invites us to consider the representation of women in 19th-century art. Hair, often associated with feminine beauty, becomes the central focus here. Instead of portraying a fully realized figure, Israëls directs our gaze to this specific attribute, prompting questions about the male gaze and the objectification of women in art. The sketch possesses an emotional and personal dimension that transcends societal norms. It’s as if Israëls is trying to capture a fleeting moment of intimacy and connection. Though a simple sketch, it gently touches upon the complex interplay between identity, gender, and artistic expression.