Reclining Female Nude 1875 - 1934

This sketch of a reclining nude was made with graphite on paper by Isaac Israels. It's a study, really, a try-out, and that's what I love about it. Israels' approach to mark-making here is all about capturing a sense of movement. Look at the scribbled lines and smudges, the shadows playing across the body of the model. It's like he's trying to pin down a fleeting impression, a moment in time. I especially like the contrast between the dark hatching and soft smudge. The artist is unafraid to leave lines unresolved, even a bit messy. It's in these unresolved bits that the drawing comes alive. It reminds me a little bit of Degas, but with a looser, more spontaneous feel. It’s like he's saying, "Here's a body, but it's also just a bunch of marks on paper." I like that honesty. For me, it’s in the conversation between those two things that art happens.