Stadsgezicht 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing of a cityscape with pencil, and I love that it’s so straightforward. You can really see the process, like a diagram of how to look at something. The buildings are solid, but the lines are scratchy and unsure, not precious. Look at the lines that describe the water. They’re almost scribbled, chaotic, yet they still suggest the movement of water, reflecting the buildings. It reminds me of a Cy Twombly drawing in that way; how the accumulation of marks makes up the picture. It’s like Israels is saying, "Here’s the basic structure, but don’t forget the feeling, the fleeting nature of what you’re seeing." It’s a good reminder that art isn’t about perfection, but about capturing a moment, a feeling, a way of seeing.