Vrouw in een lange japon en een hondenkop 1834 - 1911

This is a pencil drawing titled 'Vrouw in een lange japon en een hondenkop' by Jozef Israëls. Israëls, living from 1824 to 1911, was a Dutch painter associated with the Hague School, known for depicting somber scenes of peasant life. Here, we see a sketch of a woman in a long dress, strangely paired with the head of a dog. In the 19th century, the rise of Realism and Naturalism brought with it a focus on the everyday and the marginalized. Israëls often portrayed the lives of the poor, reflecting a broader societal interest in the working class and their struggles. This drawing invites contemplation of the female experience within the constraints of 19th-century societal expectations, combined with an unusual element. Was Israëls commenting on the perceived roles of women, or perhaps exploring themes of identity and transformation through the juxtaposition of human and animal forms? The emotional resonance lies in the quiet unease of the image. It pushes us to consider the complex layers of identity, class, and gender that Israëls subtly weaves into his work.