Twee voorovergebogen vrouwen 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing of two hunched-over women with graphite on paper. The sketch has this incredible sense of spontaneity, like he was trying to capture a fleeting moment. I can almost feel what it was like to be there with Israels, quickly sketching these women before they moved. Look at those lines, so rough and full of energy. It’s like he’s digging into the paper, trying to pull out the essence of their postures. It's really cool how with just a few strokes, he conveys the weight and weariness in their bodies. The texture of the graphite gives it this gritty, real feel, you know? It’s not about perfection; it’s about the raw, honest depiction of everyday life. Reminds me of the drawings of Degas, where you can feel the movement of the dancers, their breathlessness and exhaustion. Israels is part of that tradition, capturing these informal moments, these glimpses into the lives of ordinary folks. Painting and drawing are so amazing because they show you there is a conversation through artmaking, a shared way of seeing and feeling the world.