Zittende vrouw bij een open venster c. 1855 - 1859

Jozef Israëls created these pencil sketches on paper, a readily available material that democratized art-making in the 19th century. The immediacy of pencil on paper is evident in the rapid lines and shading, capturing fleeting moments of women in domestic settings. The sketches' unfinished quality reveals the artist's process, emphasizing the act of observation and recording. The material itself, humble and unpretentious, aligns with Israëls' focus on everyday life and the working class. Unlike the laborious processes of traditional painting, sketching allowed for quick studies, reflecting the changing pace of modern life. These sketches, with their raw and direct approach, challenged the art world's conventions, elevating the ordinary and highlighting the value of process over polished results. By embracing such materials and methods, Israëls blurred the lines between fine art and the more accessible realm of craft, inviting viewers to appreciate the beauty and significance found in the commonplace.