Staande dienstmeid c. 1886 - 1934

This sketch of a standing maid, by Isaac Israels, probably began as a quick impression, made with a stick of charcoal on paper. Look at the tentative lines, searching to define the form, and the smudges that almost give the impression of movement. Israels seems to be interested in capturing a momentary glimpse of the subject, rather than focusing on fine details. The texture of the charcoal creates an interesting contrast with the smooth surface of the paper, which makes the marks appear almost luminous. Notice how the deep blacks of the hair and the strong outlines give way to lighter, more broken lines to describe the torso and hands. This combination of precision and ambiguity gives the sketch a sense of immediacy, as if the artist captured the essence of the maid in a fleeting moment. Think of Degas, another artist who was brilliant at capturing a sense of lived life through drawing. Ultimately, drawing lets you ‘think’ about the world.