Paarden c. 1855 - 1859

"Paarden" (Horses) is a series of five sketches by Dutch painter Jozef Israëls, dated circa 1855 to 1859. The work, currently housed at the Rijksmuseum, showcases Israëls's early fascination with animal anatomy. The artist, known for his realistic depictions of everyday life, uses quick, loose lines to capture the dynamic forms of the horses from different angles. These preliminary sketches highlight Israëls's mastery of observation and his commitment to capturing the essence of his subjects, demonstrating a signature trait that would become central to his later paintings.