Interieur met een figuur bij een wieg c. 1855 - 1859

Jozef Israëls created this sketch, "Interior with a Figure by a Crib", as part of his exploration into the lives of the working class during the late 19th century. Israëls, deeply moved by the hardships of the poor, sought to depict their world with empathy. This drawing encapsulates the quiet, often unseen moments of domestic life, focusing on a figure, likely a mother, watching over a child's cradle. The somber tones evoke the emotional weight of her vigil, hinting at the ever-present challenges faced by women in providing care and stability within impoverished communities. Israëls challenges the traditional, romanticized depictions of motherhood, instead portraying the realities of working-class life. It offers a tender view into the private sphere, reflecting broader societal issues of gender, class, and the human condition.