Zittende figuren c. 1886 - 1934

This sketch, "Zittende figuren," was made by Isaac Israels, and it's all about capturing a fleeting moment, a sense of immediacy. Israels’ approach to mark making is so interesting. It’s like he's trying to grab the essence of the scene with the fewest possible lines. Look at the left side of the page. See how the charcoal lines are so direct and raw? They’re not trying to be perfect or polished. The marks have an emotional weight, almost like the energy of the artist is embedded in them. Then, there’s the other half of the page, practically empty. It makes you wonder about the space around the figures, the untold stories. It reminds me of the idea that art isn't about showing everything but about suggesting, hinting, inviting the viewer to fill in the blanks. Israels is in conversation with artists like Degas, who was also interested in capturing the everyday with an informal feel. It’s all part of this ongoing dialogue between artists across time.