Vrouw in een schort met een hark c. 1869

This is Jozef Israëls' pencil drawing, "Woman in an Apron with a Rake," now held at the Rijksmuseum. Israëls, living from 1824 to 1911, was a Dutch painter known for his moving portrayals of working-class life, particularly in Jewish communities. This sketch offers a glimpse into the lives of rural women, likely laborers in the fields. What does it mean to see the working class woman through the eyes of a man in the 19th century? Israëls' work humanizes figures who were often overlooked or romanticized. The woman’s posture, head covered, and the simple act of raking suggest themes of labor, perseverance, and the dignity of everyday life. It does not overtly idealize the peasant, but focuses on her labor. Israëls was deeply affected by the social realities he observed. We might ask ourselves how this drawing challenges or reinforces our perceptions of gender, class, and rural life. Perhaps the drawing reflects societal issues and asks us to consider the emotional and personal dimensions of the scene.