Artwork
Turning homewards
Turning homewards is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jozef Israëls. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Jozef Israëls, a central figure of the Hague School, produced the oil painting *Turning homewards* in the mid‑19th century. The canvas is part of the Rijksmuseum collection and presents a quiet, rural scene rendered with a subdued palette.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows two figures walking side by side across a dry, grassy field. Tall, slender trees with bare branches line the path behind them, while a pale sky with faint clouds looms overhead, suggesting a moment of modest travel or return.
Technique & Style
Israëls employs a loose, painterly approach, using thick impasto in the clothing and grass to create texture. The brushwork is vigorous in places, giving the surface a rough, tactile quality that emphasizes the weathered atmosphere of the landscape.
History & Provenance
After its creation, the work entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s focus on Dutch 19th‑century art and the prominence of the Hague School within that narrative.
Context
*Turning homewards* exemplifies the Hague School’s interest in everyday rural life, favoring muted tones and naturalistic detail over romanticized scenery. Israëls, known for his empathetic depictions of peasant labor, extends this concern to a simple, contemplative journey.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Jozef Israëls (Dutch pronunciation: ; 27 January 1824 – 12 August 1911) was a Dutch painter.
