Zittend vrouwelijk naakt met opgetrokken benen 1875 - 1934

This sketch, "Zittend vrouwelijk naakt met opgetrokken benen" or "Seated female nude with drawn legs" was made by Isaac Israels, probably with graphite on paper. Israels’ marks are so quick, so economical. You know, it makes me think about what we choose to leave out when we make something. Look at the way he suggests the roundness of the figure with just a few scribbled lines. It’s kind of like he’s feeling his way around the form, letting his hand do the seeing. Notice the hatching on the face, it's almost like he’s mapping the planes of the face. And see how the hatching on the left side of the torso becomes darker and denser? That’s how he creates a sense of depth, of volume. Israels reminds me of Degas, both capturing the fleeting moment, the everyday gesture. But while Degas is all about capturing movement, Israels is more interested in the quiet intimacy of the studio. Like a glimpse into a private world.