Staande vrouw c. 1886 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing, ‘Standing Woman’, with confident, sweeping marks that create a sense of immediacy. I can almost see him working, pencil in hand, quickly trying to capture the essence of his model. Look at the way he uses the charcoal. There’s a real economy of line, a sense of knowing exactly where to put each mark. The texture feels soft and smudgy, but also precise in its placement, suggesting forms and shadows. What was she thinking, I wonder, this model? Israels must have noticed her stillness, her quiet introspection, and wanted to capture that inner state. It reminds me of other drawings by Impressionist artists, like Degas, who were similarly interested in capturing fleeting moments of everyday life. Artists are always in conversation, borrowing and riffing off each other's ideas. And for us viewers, it opens up a space for contemplation. It’s a quiet moment, a pause for reflection.