Paard met kar 1834 - 1911

Jozef Israëls made this drawing of a horse and cart with graphite on paper. The starkness of the graphite on paper throws the labor involved into sharp relief. Israëls used the most basic of materials and methods, emphasizing a direct connection between the hand and the subject. Each line, each shadow, hints at the physical effort of both the artist and the subject he depicts. You can almost feel the weight of the cart and the strain on the horse. This isn't just a picture of a horse and cart. It's a raw, unvarnished look at work, made with an economy of means that mirrors the lives of those who depended on such labor. It reminds us that even simple sketches can carry profound social meaning.