Studies van een boerin 1834 - 1911

Jozef Israëls made this sketch, Studies van een boerin, with pen in brown and gray on paper. Israëls lived during a time of immense social change, and his work often reflected the lives of the working class, particularly those in rural communities. This sketch offers a glimpse into the daily existence of women in the countryside. The woman depicted is shown with a covered head and modest dress, which tells us something about the traditional roles and expectations placed on women in this time. Israëls was known for his emotionally charged depictions of the poor and working class. The woman in this sketch is solid and sturdy, she carries the weight of daily labor. In its raw, unfinished form, this sketch becomes a poignant commentary on the lives of women whose stories often go untold. It invites us to consider the intersection of gender, class, and rural life in the 19th century, while acknowledging the emotional and personal dimensions of the figures depicted.