Sollicitude maternelle 

Jozef Israëls painted this scene of maternal care, probably in the Netherlands, some time in the mid- to late-19th century. It’s rendered with loose brushwork and subdued colours, typical of the Hague School, a Dutch group loosely associated with the French Barbizon school. Israëls turned to sympathetic depictions of working-class life, and especially the lives of peasant families. The image evokes the deep bonds of affection and care that hold families together, particularly during difficult times. The Netherlands in the 19th century was undergoing significant social and economic changes, with industrialization and urbanization transforming traditional ways of life. These artists often sought to portray the perceived virtues of rural life as a counterpoint to the perceived alienation and moral decay of the modern city. To fully understand this work, we might consult 19th-century social surveys, literature, and journalistic accounts. What emerges is the degree to which this seemingly simple scene is rooted in a specific time and place. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.