Artieste maakt zichzelf op in een kleedkamer c. 1915s - 1925s

Isaac Israels made this sketch of an artist putting on makeup in a dressing room. The gestural marks are dominant, capturing a fleeting moment with a sense of immediacy and intimacy. I can almost feel the artist’s hand moving quickly across the page, trying to capture the scene before it disappears. I wonder what Israels was thinking as he watched this artist prepare. Was he drawn to the vulnerability of the moment, or the transformation that makeup can bring? The sketch reminds me of Degas’s paintings of ballet dancers backstage, capturing the behind-the-scenes moments that are often hidden from view. Maybe Israels saw a kindred spirit in this artist, both of them using their art to explore the human condition. I guess artists will always be drawn to other artists. It’s just so inspiring!