Toeschouwers in een theater c. 1915s - 1925s

Isaac Israels made this sketch of theatre-goers with graphite on paper. Look at this, you get a real sense of the ephemeral, the feeling of being there for a moment. You can imagine Isaac Israels, perched somewhere in the theater, quickly capturing the scene before him. He uses these light, quick lines, almost scribbles, to suggest the shapes and forms of the audience. It’s like he’s trying to bottle the energy of the room. What was he thinking, sitting in the dark, sketchbook in hand, trying to record this? Was he more interested in the play, or the players? The quickness of the sketch, the unedited quality of the marks—it gives you the feeling of being right there with him, watching the scene unfold. It reminds you that art isn’t just about making a perfect picture, it’s also about being present in the world, and trying to capture something real. Like a conversation.