Twee staande figuren, mogelijk voor een coulisse c. 1915s - 1925s

Isaac Israels made this pencil sketch of two standing figures, possibly for a backdrop, at an undetermined date. Look at the way Israels uses hatching to suggest form and shadow. The marks are so straightforward, but the overall effect is a very clear, and quick, impression of volume. The materiality of the drawing is apparent in the way the pencil lines vary in thickness and pressure. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the page. See the way Israels renders the faces of the figures? The simple lines and shading create a sense of depth and personality. The cross hatching that defines the figures is contrasted with the softer blending of the background, drawing our eye to the foreground. It reminds me of Manet's quick, confident brushstrokes, capturing the essence of a scene with minimal detail. It's a reminder that art is not just about perfect representation, but about capturing a feeling, a moment, or an idea.