Park 1834 - 1911

This sketch of a park was made by Jozef Israëls, likely in the Netherlands, where he was a leading figure in the Hague School of painting during the late 19th century. The Hague School artists turned away from the dominant Romantic style of the time, instead favouring realism and naturalism. This drawing gives us a glimpse into the changing artistic tastes of the period, with its emphasis on capturing the quiet beauty of everyday life, rather than grand historical or mythological scenes. Looking at the social context, it's interesting to consider how the rise of industrialization and urbanization in the Netherlands may have influenced artists like Jozef Israëls to seek refuge in nature and to portray the lives of ordinary people. This interest in everyday life was reflected in the growth of public museums that gave a platform to the art of the period. To better understand this artwork, we can delve into archives, letters, and exhibition reviews from that time. These will reveal Israëls' influences, intentions, and the reception of his art.