Spelende meisjes, mogelijk op het strand 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing of playing girls, possibly at the beach, with graphite. This kind of sketch gives us a peek into the social life of children at the time. The girls' clothing hints at their social standing. In late 19th and early 20th century Europe, seaside resorts became popular among the middle and upper classes. Leisure activities like playing on the beach became associated with a certain level of affluence. Israels, known for his impressionistic style and interest in modern life, often depicted scenes of everyday life. Israels may have been challenging the art institutions of his time, which often favored historical or mythological subjects. By choosing to depict ordinary people in leisure, he elevated the everyday experience to the level of art. To understand this drawing better, it would be useful to study fashion trends, social customs, and the history of seaside tourism in the Netherlands during this period. Art is so much more meaningful when we understand its social and institutional context.