Drie staande meisjes in het gras naast een pilaar 1834 - 1911

Jozef Israëls made this sketch of three girls beside a pillar using graphite on paper. The seeming simplicity of the materials belies the skill and labor involved in creating the image. The graphite pencil, a relatively modern tool at the time, allowed for a level of detail and precision not possible with earlier drawing methods. Notice how Israëls uses quick, light strokes to capture the fleeting moment of the girls in the field. The texture of the paper, too, plays a role in the final appearance of the sketch. The tooth, or surface texture, of the paper grabs the graphite, creating a subtle, almost atmospheric effect. This technique speaks to the social context of the time, as artists sought to capture the everyday lives of ordinary people. Israëls elevates this scene through his mastery of humble materials. By considering the materials and making processes, we can appreciate how Israëls transformed a simple sketch into a powerful meditation on childhood.