Figuren op straat 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this sketch of figures on the street with graphite on paper. What strikes me is Israels' mark-making – the whole thing feels like it’s emerging from a haze of graphite. It's all about the process, really. Look at how he uses horizontal hatching to build up the image. The texture created by the graphite is so tangible, almost like you could reach out and feel the grit of the pencil on the page. The figures themselves are mere suggestions, but the marks build atmosphere, a sense of place. There’s one area in the center where a dark mass seems to hover, and it's surrounded by a halo of lighter graphite, which creates a feeling of depth and mystery. Israels reminds me of Whistler with his interest in capturing fleeting moments and atmospheric effects, both suggesting, rather than telling. Ultimately, it’s in this kind of ambiguity that art finds its power, inviting us to bring our own experiences and interpretations to the table.