Ruiter en twee vrouwen 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this sketch, "Ruiter en twee vrouwen," using graphite on paper. The immediacy of the medium is evident in the loose lines that capture the figures of a horseman and two women, along with the barest suggestion of a setting. Graphite, in its humble form, allows for a direct connection between the artist's hand and the paper. The speed and ease of graphite sketching make it ideal for capturing fleeting moments and impressions. Israels employs hatching and cross-hatching to model forms and create a sense of depth, but the overall effect remains raw and spontaneous. The sketch embodies a sense of observation and immediacy, as if the artist quickly jotted down what he saw before him, emphasizing the ephemeral nature of urban life. This work reminds us that even the simplest materials can yield profound artistic expression, turning everyday scenes into valuable glimpses of a bygone era.