Studie 1875 - 1934

This sketch titled 'Studie', was made by Isaac Israels, and is currently held at the Rijksmuseum. It's all about the process, isn't it? You can see Israels figuring things out, line by line. The delicate marks build up this whole scene, it feels so immediate and like the artist is thinking right in front of you! Look at how the light pencil strokes define form, particularly the wheel. It's not about perfection but about feeling the weight and shape. The paper itself becomes part of the drawing. Israels reminds me a little of Degas, particularly his sketches of horses, in that they share a certain desire to capture movement and energy. This piece, like many sketches, embraces the beauty of the unfinished, inviting us to participate in its creation. It’s a reminder that art is a conversation, an open-ended exploration rather than a statement.