Twee figuurstudies c. 1915s - 1925s

Isaac Israels made this sketch of two figures, probably with graphite on paper. I like that the marks are minimal, it is like he is thinking through the act of drawing. The linear quality of the image captures a fleeting moment and a sense of movement. You can almost see the artist’s hand dancing across the page, each stroke carefully placed to suggest form and shadow. The texture of the paper peeks through, adding a tactile dimension to the work, which makes me want to reach out and touch it, feel the grain beneath my fingertips. Look at the way Israels uses shading to give depth to the figures, especially around the contours of their bodies – it's like he’s sculpting with light. Israels' sketch reminds me of Matisse's line drawings, both artists able to convey so much with so little. But where Matisse’s lines are fluid and sensual, Israels’ have a more staccato, rhythmic quality. Ultimately, this piece reminds us that art is not just about what we see, but how we see it.