Staande vrouw in kostuum, in profiel 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this understated drawing of a standing woman in costume with pencil on paper. It’s a simple gesture, a sketch, but so telling. I can imagine Israels quickly capturing a performer backstage, perhaps at a theatre he frequented. What was she thinking at that moment, just before she went on? The subtle lines indicate the folds of her dress. I like how he captured the essence of the figure with just a few strokes. It almost feels like a memory, fleeting and ethereal. Israels was part of a generation of artists who were interested in modern life, and he often depicted scenes of leisure and entertainment. This drawing, with its simplicity and immediacy, connects to his wider practice and his exploration of capturing the transient moments of everyday life. His work reminds me of Degas’ sketches of ballet dancers, both finding beauty in the everyday.