Staande vrouw in kostuum, in profiel 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing of a standing woman in costume with pencil on paper. It's all about the bare minimum, right? The fewest possible marks to suggest a figure. Look at the way he captures the essence of the figure with just a few lines. It’s all about process, about finding the most direct route from eye to hand to paper. The texture of the paper itself becomes part of the artwork, lending a kind of immediacy. I love how the simplicity of the lines allows your imagination to fill in the details. You start to imagine the fabric, the folds, the weight of the costume. There's this single stroke defining the edge of her skirt—it’s so economical but holds so much information. It reminds me a little of Matisse's line drawings, the way he could conjure form with so little. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that art isn't about perfection, but about seeing and feeling.