Paard c. 1915s - 1925s

This is a pen drawing on paper of a horse, made by Isaac Israels, and held at the Rijksmuseum. There is something so alive in a simple line drawing – it’s all about the artist’s immediate response, isn’t it? Look at the thinness of the line itself, how little is there, and yet Israels captures the essence of the horse, its form, its potential movement. The texture of the paper allows the ink to settle, creating a slight blur, a softness that contrasts with the sharpness of the lines. The way the artist captures the horse’s legs, almost as an afterthought, adds to the dynamism. It reminds me of some of Degas’ drawings of horses, but with a quicker, more confident hand. Art is always a conversation, an exchange of ideas, and Israels is definitely in dialogue with his contemporaries here. It’s a reminder that art is not about fixed meanings but embracing ambiguity, and the endless possibilities of a simple line.