Figuren op straat, mogelijk in Parijs 1887 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing of a street, possibly in Paris, with chalk. He’s gone straight in for the kill, right? Direct, bold, trying to seize something fleeting. It's about the energy of mark-making and how a sketch can hold so much feeling, like a jazz riff. The surface is alive with the scratchy, crumbly texture of chalk on paper. You can almost feel the artist’s hand moving quickly, trying to capture the light and shadow. Look how the verticals are built up with repeated strokes, a real sense of atmosphere. The figures at the bottom are just suggested, a few scribbles to give a sense of scale and movement. There's a real focus on the process, the ‘how’ of making. Israels was influenced by the Impressionists, who were interested in capturing the fleeting moments of modern life. Like them, he wasn’t interested in perfect representation but in the experience of seeing. It's a reminder that art isn't about answers; it's about the ongoing conversation.