Meisje met een boterbloem op haar muts en figuren op een kar c. 1855 - 1859

Jozef Israëls created this graphite sketch, “Girl with a Buttercup on her Bonnet and Figures on a Cart,” during the nineteenth century in the Netherlands. It's currently held in the Rijksmuseum. Israëls's work often focused on the lives of the poor and working class. Here, we see a rough study of figures, perhaps preparatory work for a larger painting. The sketch’s focus on everyday life aligns with a broader trend in Dutch art of the time, moving away from grand historical narratives towards more intimate scenes of daily existence. Consider the social context: the 19th century was a period of significant social change. Artists like Israëls contributed to a growing awareness of social inequalities. Historical archives, including letters, exhibition reviews, and records from art academies, help us understand how Israëls and his contemporaries navigated the art world and engaged with the pressing social issues of their time. The meaning of art is always tied to its specific social and institutional context.