Vrouwenhoofd 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing of a woman’s head, probably in his studio, with a simple graphite pencil. The portrait emerges from the ground as if by accident, some lines strong and confident, others tentative and searching. I wonder what Israels was thinking as he put down these marks. Was he trying to capture the fleeting expression of the model, or was he more interested in the abstract play of light and shadow on her face? I love the way he suggests the volume of her hair with just a few quick strokes. It reminds me of some of Degas’s drawings, or even Manet. There’s a sense of immediacy and intimacy, as if we’re glimpsing a private moment. The vulnerability in her expression really grabs you. It’s funny how a simple drawing can be so evocative. For me, it's a reminder that painting is a conversation across time, with each artist building on the insights and discoveries of those who came before.