Kunstenaar achter een ezel in de open lucht 1834 - 1911

Jozef Israëls made this sketch, ‘Artist behind an easel in the open air’, on paper with graphite. Israëls was a leading figure of the Hague School, an artistic movement that captured the somber realities of Dutch rural life. Here, we catch a glimpse into the artist's world. Israëls sketches not just the act of painting, but also the presence of women, perhaps muses or companions, subtly questioning the traditional narrative of the solitary male genius. Their gaze is soft, introspective, inviting a dialogue about women's roles in the artistic process, challenging conventional representations. Israëls’ Jewish identity also infuses his work with a deep sense of empathy. His art often highlights the dignity and humanity of marginalized communities. This drawing, with its intimate portrayal of women and the artist, subtly challenges the rigid social norms of the time. It’s as if Israëls asks us to consider whose stories are told and who gets to tell them.