Katten, een handwerkende vrouw en een figuur met een kat op schoot c. 1855 - 1859

This is a page from a sketchbook by Jozef Israëls, featuring pencil studies of cats and women. Israëls, who lived from 1824 to 1911, was a leading figure in the Hague School, a group of Dutch realist painters known for their intimate, often melancholic scenes of everyday life, particularly those of the working class. The sketches here offer a glimpse into the artist's process. The act of handwork connects women to a lineage of labor and domesticity. Yet, there's also a tenderness in the depiction of women and their cats. These animals, often associated with feminine spaces, serve as companions and sources of comfort. Israëls seems to explore the quiet, interior lives of these women, their identities intertwined with their roles and relationships. Israëls’ work resonates with the socio-political context of his time, reflecting a growing interest in the lives of ordinary people, and invites us to consider the value and dignity of labor, care, and connection.