Zittende figuren, onder wie mogelijk danseressen 1921 - 1922

Isaac Israels made this drawing of some seated figures, possibly dancers, sometime in his life with graphite on paper and its now in the Rijksmuseum. There’s a real freedom in the marks he's made here, especially with the heavier shading on the right page, which gives this work a real sense of immediacy and a focus on process. Looking closely, you can see how the texture of the paper interacts with the graphite, creating these subtle, almost shimmering effects. In the cluster of figures on the right, the varying pressure of the pencil creates a rhythm and depth that really pulls you in. It's like Israels is thinking through the act of drawing, searching for the essential forms. This reminds me of some of Degas' sketches of dancers, with that same sense of capturing a fleeting moment. But while Degas is precise, Israels is more interested in the raw energy of the gesture. It's a reminder that art isn't just about perfect representation.