Slapende vrouw 1834 - 1911

Jozef Israëls made this pencil drawing, 'Sleeping Woman', sometime during his career in the Netherlands. Israëls sought to depict the lives of ordinary people, often focusing on the hardships faced by those in rural communities. The image presents a vulnerable and intimate moment. Yet the sketch also directs attention towards the socio-economic realities that might lead someone to such a state of exhaustion. In the 19th century, the Netherlands experienced significant social and economic changes, and the lives of the working class were often marked by poverty and hardship. Artists like Israëls aimed to bring attention to these issues and evoke empathy for those affected. To fully understand 'Sleeping Woman,' we can consult historical records, letters, and contemporary accounts that shed light on the artist's intentions and the socio-political context in which he was working. Art is always contingent on social and institutional context.