Studie 1834 - 1911

This drawing, "Studie," was made by Jozef Israëls, and it's now held at the Rijksmuseum. It's a sketch, made with graphite, that gives us a glimpse into the artist's process. The very nature of graphite—a readily available material, used for everyday writing and sketching—speaks to the work's purpose. You can see faint lines that hint at a composition, a process of searching and refining that is the essence of drawing. The marks on the page aren't just lines, but also a record of the artist’s physical engagement with the material, the pressure of the hand, the speed of the stroke. In contrast to the finished painting, this study opens up the labour of image-making. It reminds us that every artwork, even the most polished, has its origins in humble materials and the skilled hand of the artist. It encourages us to appreciate not just the final product, but the entire journey of creation.