Twee studies van een ezeljongen en een ezel c. 1890 - 1920

Isaac Israels made these studies of a donkey and boy with pencil on paper. It’s all about the sketch: searching lines describe the two figures, like he’s mapping out their forms, trying to capture the essence of their being. I can imagine Israels outside somewhere with his sketchbook, quickly trying to capture a moment. Perhaps he was thinking about how to convey weight and movement with just a few strokes. He's got a confidence here, but there's also a vulnerability. Notice how the repeated marks give the drawing a sense of energy. The donkey almost looks like it's vibrating! It reminds me of other artists like Degas who were interested in capturing fleeting moments of everyday life. Ultimately, this drawing shows us how much can be communicated through simple lines. It's a reminder that art isn't always about perfection, but about process, exploration, and connection.