Figuurstudies c. 1930 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this sketch of figures in the Netherlands using graphite on paper. Look closely, and you'll see how Israels used a kind of shorthand, a personal language of marks, to capture the essence of his subjects. The texture of the paper peeks through, creating a delicate contrast with the graphite lines. Notice how the varying pressure of the pencil creates depth and volume, even in such a minimal composition. There's a playful quality to the marks, a sense of freedom and experimentation. My eye keeps returning to the cluster of lines on the right, which suggests a face in profile. It’s like a puzzle, inviting us to piece together the image and engage in the process of seeing. Israels’s sketch reminds me a little of work by Manet, another artist who was interested in the fleeting impressions of modern life. Like Manet, Israels embraces ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own interpretations to the work.