Schets van een hondenkop 1834 - 1911

Jozef Israëls made this sketch of a dog’s head with graphite on paper. Israëls was deeply involved in the social and political issues of his time, particularly the plight of the working class and the marginalized. This drawing, though seemingly simple, reflects Israëls' broader concerns with empathy and connection. The dog, often seen as a symbol of loyalty and companionship, is rendered with a sensitivity that invites us to consider its inner life. In the 19th century, representing animals was a way to explore themes of domestication, nature, and the relationship between humans and the natural world. Here, Israëls captures a sense of the animal’s vulnerability, perhaps mirroring the vulnerability he saw in the human subjects of his more overtly social realist works. The sketch may appear unfinished, but this rawness allows for an intimate encounter. The dog's gaze feels direct, almost pleading, prompting us to consider the emotional bonds we form with animals, and to reflect on the value of empathy in a world often marked by indifference.