Liggend en zittend meisje 1834 - 1911

Editor: Here we have Jozef Israëls's pencil drawing, "Liggend en zittend meisje," likely from the late 19th century, housed right here at the Rijksmuseum. It has such a gentle, dreamy quality about it... like capturing a secret, stolen moment. What catches your eye about this drawing? Curator: That dreamy quality you mention resonates perfectly! For me, it's the intimacy—Israëls wasn't just sketching figures, he was hinting at their inner worlds. It’s almost as if he’s letting us peek into a private reverie. Do you find yourself wondering about their story, what they’re dreaming of, perhaps? Editor: Absolutely! Are those trees in the background? Is this a secret hideaway? Curator: Indeed. And consider Israëls's choice of pencil; its soft, yielding nature creates such a beautiful contrast to the somewhat harsher realities depicted in some genre paintings of the era. His loose style hints at a fleeting moment, an emotion rather than a rigid pose. It's incredibly evocative, wouldn’t you agree? The realism is in the feeling, not necessarily in photographic detail. Editor: I see what you mean. It's more about suggestion than strict representation. And there's almost a mirrored quality between the two girls. One's lying down, completely at rest. And the other is...also at rest, just sitting. Curator: Beautiful observation! Yes, almost echoing each other, reflecting similar moods even in different positions. They seem connected, yet also lost in their separate worlds. Israëls masterfully captured a specific tenderness; not idealized beauty, but relatable human experience. It feels quietly revolutionary. Editor: It’s amazing how much narrative he packed into a simple pencil drawing. It makes you wonder about the untold stories within. Thank you for sharing your perspective; I feel like I understand Israëls and the artwork so much better. Curator: And thank you, for your insights! I'm leaving our chat seeing the drawing anew through your eyes.