Zittend vrouwelijk naakt met halsketting 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing of a seated nude, complete with necklace, with ink on paper. The lines have a beautiful, nervous energy, right? It's like he's trying to capture a fleeting moment, not just an image. Look at how Israels renders the arms crossed in front of the model. It's all about suggestion, not description. Some of the lines are darker, thicker, more confident. Others are like little whispers. It reminds me that drawing, painting, art making in general, is about choices. You decide what to emphasize, what to leave out. It's a conversation between the artist and the subject, and also the materials. You make a mark, and the mark tells you what to do next. Israels was part of a group of Dutch Impressionists, and you can see that sensibility here. Think of Degas and his pastels of dancers. There's a similar sense of intimacy, of capturing a private moment, an interest in light, and a sensitivity to line. But, unlike Degas, Israels captures a very human, understated moment. And that’s what makes it special.