Refreshment c. 1895

"Refreshment," a charcoal drawing by Jozef Israëls, captures a moment of quiet solitude. Created around 1895, the piece portrays an elderly woman seated with a cup in her hand, likely enjoying a warm drink. The loose, expressive lines of the drawing highlight the artist's focus on capturing the essence of the subject, rather than creating a perfectly rendered portrait. The drawing's focus on everyday life and the contemplative nature of the subject exemplifies Israëls's skill at depicting the emotional realities of working-class life in the Netherlands.