Twee langharige schapen 1834 - 1911

This sketch of two long-haired sheep was made by Jozef Israëls. Israëls lived in an era of profound social change, documenting the lives of the working class and the rural poor in the Netherlands. Here, the sheep, rendered in a few quick strokes, embody a quiet dignity. Consider Israëls’ focus on the animal, rather than the shepherd, in the context of the time. Was he drawing a parallel between the life of animals, and the poor? Sheep and the working class often share a similar position in society - overlooked, yet central to the smooth running of economic production. These sheep, with their heavy coats, seem burdened by their wool. Israëls often portrayed figures weighed down by their circumstances. He sought to capture the emotional weight of existence. This drawing invites us to reflect on the lives of those whose labor is often unseen, and on the dignity inherent in every living creature.