Lopende jonge vrouw in badkleding 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this sketch of a young woman in swimwear using pencil on paper, probably en plein air. It looks like it was made quickly, with a definite economy of line. The marks are very gestural, and almost abstracted in places. It’s like Israels is trying to capture the essence of the figure with as few marks as possible. I love the way he suggests the form with these minimal strokes – the slightly darker lines that define her cap and swimwear, and the lighter, almost scribbled lines that create the impression of movement. These few, simple lines are full of life, of an instantaneous quality. It's like a shorthand for a fleeting moment. Israels reminds me a little of Manet, who also tried to capture modern life in all its hustle and bustle, or perhaps Constantin Guys. He seems interested in the possibilities of capturing a moment, of seeing and then immediately recording what he sees.