Japanse vrouw en man 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing of a Japanese woman and man using graphite, and it's all about how marks can suggest more than they show. The drawing feels immediate, like a fleeting impression captured in a flurry of lines. Look at the shading around the woman's face, how the pencil strokes build up to give form and depth. It’s not about perfection but about capturing the essence of a moment. The quick, scribbled lines give the piece a lively, energetic feel. You can almost see Israels moving his hand across the paper, trying to keep up with the image in his mind. The way he leaves so much of the paper untouched makes the figures feel like they're emerging from a haze. This drawing reminds me of Degas, both artists were masters of capturing movement and light with just a few strokes. It's a reminder that art isn't about answers, but about the questions we ask along the way.