Uitnodiging aan Betsy Norman 1834 - 1911

Here is a reception invitation addressed to Betsy Norman by Jozef Israëls. The invite extends to the voting, external, and extraordinary members of the 'Pulchri Studio' - a Dutch art society. Israëls, born in 1824, was a leading figure in the Hague School. During a period of social upheaval, artists like Israëls focused on the everyday lives of ordinary people, often with a strong sense of empathy. The invitation specifies "ieder met ééne dame," literally, "each with one lady", reflecting the gendered norms of the time. This phrase speaks volumes about the expected social structure, where women were invited as accompaniments, not necessarily as members in their own right. This invite offers a glimpse into the social and artistic circles of the Netherlands in the late 19th century, highlighting both its artistic richness and its gendered social conventions. It reminds us of the importance of considering the cultural norms that influenced artists of the period.