Staande figuren, mogelijk artiesten 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this sketch of Standing Figures, possibly artists, in the Rijksmuseum with graphite on paper. Isn't it cool how a few quick lines can give you the impression of a whole scene? The marks are so simple, like he’s just feeling his way around the shapes. It reminds me that artmaking is a process of discovery, not just about depicting something. Look at the density of lines at the bottom. They’re layered and scumbled, creating a sense of weight and grounding, like the figures are standing on solid ground. Then, above that, the lighter, more ethereal lines suggest movement and air. That contrast is everything! It reminds me of some of Manet’s sketches—the way he could capture a figure with just a few strokes. Art’s an ongoing conversation, isn’t it? We’re all just riffing off each other, trying to make sense of the world in our own way.