Saul 1834 - 1899

Jozef Israëls created "Saul," a drawing with a height of 53 cm and a width of 78.5 cm, held at the Rijksmuseum. The drawing presents us with an array of lines, predominantly gray and black, creating a scene of somber reflection. The material texture, defined by the strokes of the drawing, contributes to the emotional depth of the work. The composition is structured around the figure of Saul, whose form emerges from a flurry of linear marks. These lines, in their arrangement and density, suggest a figure burdened, perhaps lost in thought. The use of line here is not merely descriptive but expressive. It reflects a deeper engagement with the psychological state of the subject. The sketch challenges fixed meanings. Its somber tones, achieved through the careful application of lines, destabilize established meanings of power and leadership, suggesting a more vulnerable interpretation. This drawing compels us to consider how Israëls uses form to create meaning, reflecting broader artistic concerns.