Boomstammen 1834 - 1911

Jozef Israëls created "Boomstammen," or "Tree Trunks," using what appears to be blue pencil on paper. The drawing is economical in the extreme, more of a notation than a finished picture. We see horizontal lines suggesting stacked logs, with a flurry of scribbled marks indicating their rough texture and the surrounding environment. The very directness of the medium speaks volumes. Israëls captures the essence of these building materials with a minimum of fuss, almost as if he were an artisan himself, quickly sketching out a plan for a construction project. Think of the labor involved in felling these trees, transporting them, and preparing them for use. This was an important sector of the 19th-century economy, yet often overlooked in the realm of fine art. In this light, Israëls's drawing is a potent reminder of the material basis of society. It prompts us to recognize the value of manual skills and the relationship between art and everyday life.