Onderbenen, bovenlichaam en een hand van een vrouw 1834 - 1911

Jozef Israëls made this sketch of a woman's lower body, torso, and hand with graphite. Israëls was a Dutch painter known for his role in the Hague School, a group of artists who captured the lives of ordinary people with stark realism. This sketch offers an intimate glimpse into Israëls' artistic process and his relationship with the female form. The woman's posture and clothing suggest that she might come from a working-class background, reflecting Israëls’ broader interest in depicting the lives of the marginalized. The artist had a deep sense of social responsibility and often spoke of his desire to portray the dignity and resilience of ordinary people. The sketch is unfinished, but the lines convey a sense of movement and emotion. It invites us to consider the woman’s story and the social context that shaped her life. Through his art, Israëls sought to raise awareness about the lives and struggles of the less privileged.