Rij zittenden c. 1890 - 1920

Isaac Israels made this sketch, Rij zittenden, with chalk and charcoal, rendering a group of figures in an urban setting. Israels was a Dutch Jewish artist, whose experiences of cultural assimilation and social mobility shaped his artistic vision. As a cosmopolitan, he was drawn to portraying the vibrancy of city life and the diverse social classes within it. Note how he captures a moment of urban life, and a crowd of figures, perhaps at a performance or public gathering. The indistinct lines and shadowed forms obscure the individual identities of his subjects. Israels was interested in capturing the fleeting nature of modern life. The sketch invites us to reflect on the relationship between the individual and the collective, and on the social dynamics of public spaces. This artwork creates a moment of shared experience, blurring the boundaries between observer and observed.