Groep van drie vrouwen met hoeden 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels sketched this "Groep van drie vrouwen met hoeden" with what looks like charcoal, and it feels like a super-fast take on seeing. It’s like he’s saying, "Here’s what I saw, quick, before it disappears!". Look at the marks around the figures; loose, free, and kind of all over the place. But then, bam, he nails the details, like the curve of a hat or the set of a shoulder. It’s a beautiful, edgy dance between control and chaos. The charcoal feels dry, almost dusty, and the way he layers the marks gives it this cool, textural vibe. It’s not about perfection; it’s about capturing a moment, a feeling. Think about how he suggests form with just a few lines, the way he uses the white of the paper as much as the charcoal itself. It reminds me of Manet or Degas, these artists who were also trying to nail modern life in all its messy, fleeting glory. For me, this isn’t just a drawing; it’s a way of seeing, a way of being in the world.