Boom 1834 - 1911

Jozef Israëls created this sketch, called ‘Boom’, using graphite on paper. Israëls was a leading figure in the Hague School, a group of Dutch artists who, in the late 19th century, turned away from academic traditions to embrace a more naturalistic style. Israëls and his contemporaries felt the need to reflect their social reality. Instead of grand historical paintings, they focused on the everyday lives of ordinary people, particularly those in rural settings. In this way, the Hague School challenged the established art institutions, promoting a more democratic and accessible art form. The seemingly simple depiction of a tree here reflects this ethos. It invites viewers to find beauty in the mundane, to connect with nature and to appreciate the unvarnished truth of the world around them. To fully appreciate the image, we need to understand the socio-political context in which Israëls worked. Scholarly articles, biographies, and exhibition catalogs offer insights into the artistic debates of the time, the changing role of art institutions, and the social conditions that shaped Israëls' vision.