Staand meisje met een kap en een tasje 1834 - 1911

Jozef Israëls sketched this standing girl with a bonnet and bag using graphite, at an unknown date. Israëls, of Jewish heritage, lived through a period of immense social change in the Netherlands, witnessing the erosion of traditional ways of life, and this tension deeply influenced his artistic vision. Here, the girl, simply dressed and carrying a bag, is rendered with an empathetic gaze, evoking a sense of quiet resilience amidst the backdrop of the late 19th century. Israëls often focused on the lives of the working class and the poor, particularly those in the fishing communities. He aimed to depict their dignity and inner strength. Israëls once said: "Art should be true to life and express genuine human emotions." The sketch does not romanticize its subject; instead, it offers an intimate portrayal, inviting viewers to contemplate the everyday experiences and struggles of marginalized communities during a time of profound social transformation. It serves as a poignant reminder of the human stories often overlooked in grand historical narratives.