Paardenmarkt 1834 - 1911

Jozef Israëls made this work on paper with pen and ink, a seemingly simple set of materials that nonetheless carries a lot of cultural weight. Look closely and you will see that the artist’s hand is very present. Each stroke is visible, carefully considered to define the scene. Note how the lines cluster and gather to describe the forms of the people and animals depicted in the scene. The medium of pen and ink here allows for an immediacy that other drawing media do not necessarily allow. It also suggests a direct connection between the artist’s vision and the final image, making it clear that the social themes of the artwork have been deliberately chosen by the artist and painstakingly constructed by him. In this way, we can appreciate how the artist is engaging in the traditional practice of drawing to make a pointed comment on the everyday world. Ultimately, paying attention to the materials and techniques of the artwork allows us to appreciate the artistry and skill required to produce such a compelling image.