Fragmenten van een grafschrift en het Mailied van Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1834 - 1911

This is an undated drawing, 'Fragmenten van een grafschrift en het Mailied van Johann Wolfgang von Goethe', by Jozef Israëls. It is made with graphite on paper. This intimate work gives us a glimpse into the artist's creative process. The graphite allows for soft, subtle gradations of tone and intricate detailing, with the poems and epitaph emerging from the page. The materiality of the paper also plays a role, its texture providing a slightly rough surface for the graphite to adhere to, adding depth to the drawing. Israëls was deeply involved in the social issues of his time, and concerned with the lives of ordinary working people. The act of writing, in this context, is a form of labor, a means of communicating ideas and emotions. And the use of graphite, a relatively inexpensive and readily available material, speaks to the accessibility of artmaking and the potential for creativity to be found in everyday life. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social significance of Jozef Israëls' drawings.