The Hague School was a group of Dutch painters active in the late 19th century, primarily based in The Hague. They focused on naturalistic landscapes and everyday life, emphasizing the effects of light and atmosphere. The movement is characterized by its use of muted colors and a loose brushwork style, reflecting a departure from the more formal techniques of earlier art movements. Key figures of The Hague School include Jozef Israëls, Anton Mauve, and Hendrik Willem Mesdag. Their works often depicted rural scenes, fishermen, and the Dutch countryside, capturing the essence of life in the Netherlands during that period. The movement played a significant role in the development of modern Dutch painting.