Meisje, staand met de armen achter de rug 1834 - 1911

Jozef Israëls created this drawing of a girl with her arms behind her back using graphite on paper. The essence of a drawing lies in its directness; the artist's hand is immediately present. Here, we can see Israëls testing the capacity of graphite to render the human form. Notice the way the artist uses the side of the graphite to create shading, while the tip is for the outline. The pressure and density varies, giving form to the figure and capturing the light as it falls. While not considered as laborious as other art forms, the significance of drawing lies in its accessibility and immediacy. It captures fleeting moments and ideas, often serving as a preliminary stage for more elaborate works. In understanding the process and materials, we recognize the inherent value of drawing, challenging the traditional hierarchy that places painting and sculpture above works on paper.