Meisje met een doos en twee studies van een vlinder 1834 - 1911

Jozef Israëls made this pencil drawing, "Girl with a Box and Two Studies of a Butterfly," in the Netherlands, likely during the latter half of the 19th century. Israëls was a key figure in the Hague School, a movement known for its realistic depictions of peasant life and Dutch landscapes. The image presents us with a child holding a box, perhaps containing treasures or simply everyday objects, alongside delicate studies of butterflies. This juxtaposition of childhood innocence and natural beauty reflects the Hague School’s broader interest in representing the quiet dignity of ordinary life. In this time, art academies and the art market were solidifying their influence. Artists like Israëls often sought to depict scenes that resonated with national identity and social consciousness. The simplicity of the subject matter, combined with Israëls’ skillful rendering, invites viewers to contemplate the everyday experiences of the Dutch people. To understand this work more fully, we can examine the exhibition records, and critical reviews. It is in doing so that we can gain insight into its place in the broader artistic and social context of its time.