Lopende jonge vrouw in badkleding 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this sketch of a young woman in swimwear on paper using graphite. The lines are so loose, so relaxed. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving quickly, trying to capture the essence of the figure before it disappears, like trying to grab a sunbeam, or a fleeting thought. I bet Israels was totally in the zone when he made this. I mean, think about it: he's trying to convey this sense of casual elegance, the way the figure is slightly contorted, as if she is about to get up. The sketch reminds me of Degas' dancers, that combination of observation and empathy. The lines are searching and vulnerable. You can see Israels weighing up the tone and space. I love that hesitancy, that sense of not quite knowing, in this piece; it makes it so alive. You can see him asking himself questions about the form and composition. It’s inspiring to see how artists across time are constantly riffing off each other, pushing the boundaries of their mediums. It's like a big, ongoing conversation, where everyone is trying to say something new, but also nodding to what's come before.