Groep soldaten met geweren, mogelijk huzaren 1875 - 1934

Here we have "Groep soldaten met geweren, mogelijk huzaren," a sketch by Isaac Israels, hanging at the Rijksmuseum. Look at how he's laid down these marks! It’s all about the process, about getting the essence of the scene down fast and direct. You can almost feel Israels observing in real time, his charcoal stick capturing the scene as it unfolds. The materiality is so raw, isn’t it? The charcoal is dry and crumbly, almost like dust, laid down in quick, staccato strokes. It’s fascinating how a few lines can suggest so much movement. Focus on the lower right corner, where he's built up the shadow under the figures. It's dense and murky but also incredibly evocative. Thinking about artists with a similar touch, maybe someone like Daumier comes to mind. Both are interested in capturing the immediacy of life, of seeing the world as it is, unvarnished and full of energy. Art isn’t about fixed meanings; it’s an ongoing conversation, a question, a feeling.