Landschap 1834 - 1911

Jozef Israëls made this landscape drawing with graphite on paper. The quick marks of the graphite create a sense of immediacy. Graphite is a readily available material, reflecting a direct, unpretentious approach to art-making. Notice how Israëls uses the side of the graphite to capture the vastness of the sky, and contrasts it with the sharp, precise lines used to depict figures and objects on the ground. The marks have social significance, the sketchiness suggesting a moment captured amidst labor and life. This approach reflects a shift in the art world, one that started to value everyday subjects, and materials. It challenges our expectations of fine art and invites us to consider the significance of the ordinary. By understanding the materials, making, and context, we deepen our appreciation for the artist's vision.