Figuren, mogelijk op straat c. 1892 - 1900

Isaac Israels created this untitled sketch of figures, possibly on a street, using pencil on paper. The composition is divided into two distinct panels. The left panel is dominated by dense, almost chaotic scribbles, forming what seems to be the profile of a large figure or object. The lines are short, overlapping, and create a sense of volume through tonal variation. On the right, a similar technique depicts more figures, perhaps smaller in scale, with vertical lines suggesting architectural elements in the background. Israels uses line not just to define form but as a means of conveying movement and the bustling atmosphere of a street scene. The sketchiness challenges fixed representation, opting instead for a dynamic interplay of lines. This abstraction mirrors the rapid pace of urban life, a theme often explored during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The sketch offers a glimpse into how artists used form to capture the transient experiences of modernity.