Lopende vrouw, op de rug gezien c. 1886 - 1934

Isaac Israels sketched this study of a running woman from behind, probably in his sketchbook. The page is filled with three variations of the same figure, each capturing a slightly different moment in her stride, and the overall effect feels spontaneous. I can imagine Israels quickly flipping through the pages of his book, searching for the right spot, the graphite pencil leaving smudges in its wake. There’s an immediacy to the strokes, a real sense of capturing a fleeting moment, as if Israels was trying to freeze time. I bet he stood there, squinting, his hand moving quickly to try and capture the essence of her movement, her energy. It reminds me of Degas, who was also interested in the figure in motion, but Israels brings his own sensibility. You can sense a shared curiosity about the human form, a shared appreciation for the beauty of everyday life. They're all in conversation, really. What a beautiful, fleeting thing!