Gezadelde ezel 1890 - 1920

Isaac Israels sketched "Gezadelde ezel" – or "Saddled Donkey" – using graphite on paper. Israels, a Dutch painter of Jewish heritage, worked in a period when artists were engaging with modern life, depicting scenes from the everyday. In this sketch, Israels captures a saddled donkey with quick, expressive lines, focusing on form and movement rather than detail. This work reflects the identities and histories often marginalized within the traditional art world. Donkeys have historically been used as working animals, often associated with laborers and those of lower socioeconomic status. Consider how Israels’ sketch might reflect an interest in the lives of working-class individuals and their relationship to the animal world. It's as though he is asking us to consider labor, value, and dignity. It’s a simple drawing, yet it invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between humans, animals, and the societies we construct.