Staand jongetje met pet 1834 - 1911

This sketch of a boy in a cap was made by Jozef Israëls using graphite. Israëls lived from 1824 to 1911 and was associated with the Hague School, a group of Dutch realist painters. Through his art, Israëls elevated the peasant and working classes to a heroic status. The image embodies a sense of dignity, portraying the boy not as a caricature, but as an individual worthy of respect. His clothing, including the cap and wooden shoes, signify his social class. The averted gaze could imply that the boy is lost in thought or perhaps burdened by the circumstances of his life. Israëls lived through a time of social change and industrialization and the image could be seen as a comment on the social structures of the time. Historical studies, archival documents and accounts of the artist’s life can all help to better understand the cultural context of this arresting image.