Staande vrouwen 1875 - 1934

This sketch of standing women was made by Isaac Israels, possibly in a notebook, with a light touch. The marks are sparse, almost like a shorthand for observation. It’s like Israels is trying to capture a fleeting moment. The drawing has a beautiful openness. It’s not overworked, and it’s almost like you’re looking over the artist's shoulder as they make these quick marks. The lines are so economical, just enough to suggest form and movement. Notice the almost abstract squiggles that suggest heads or hats. It’s amazing how much information he conveys with so little. Israels captures an essence. This sketch reminds me of other artists preoccupied with the immediacy of the everyday, like Degas. There’s an ongoing conversation between artists about how to see and represent the world, and drawings like this are like whispers in that conversation. It leaves space for our imagination.