The Munttoren in Amsterdam, thaw weather 1918

Isaac Israels painted this scene of the Munttoren in Amsterdam with oils, probably in his studio, working from a sketch done on site. The painting is built up of layered brushstrokes in muted browns, greys and whites, capturing a grey wintery scene, maybe a wet day. I can imagine Israels standing at his easel, trying to pin down the light, trying to get it just so – he might have been thinking about capturing the atmosphere of the place. The paint has a thick, buttery quality, and the quick, loose brushstrokes give the impression of movement and energy. Look at the way he painted the tower, with its distinct architectural details, and then at the figures below, they're just a few strokes of color. It reminds me a bit of Whistler, the way he captures a scene with such minimal effort, but there's also something very modern about it. Painters, they're all in conversation, looking at each other’s work, riffing off each other’s ideas. Painting is a way of thinking, feeling, and seeing the world, and there’s no one right way to do it. It's all about exploring, experimenting, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible.