Meisje met de handen voor de borst 1834 - 1911

Jozef Israëls made this pencil drawing, "Girl with Hands to her Chest," sometime during his career, now held at the Rijksmuseum. Israëls was a key figure in the Hague School, and this drawing reflects the school’s emphasis on everyday life and the common person. The image presents a young girl, her hands crossed protectively over her chest. The sketch's simplicity draws us into a sense of intimacy, but its social commentary is also important. In the Netherlands during the late 19th century, there was a growing social consciousness regarding the conditions of the poor and working class. Artists like Israëls played a role in bringing these realities to the attention of a wider audience, influencing public sentiment and prompting social reform. For art historians, understanding Israëls' work involves exploring the cultural and socio-political context of the Netherlands during his time. We must consider the influence of Dutch Realism, the role of the art academy, and the broader social movements that shaped artistic production.