Trommelaarster 1878 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this etching, "Trommelaarster", sometime in his lifetime using an etching technique. The image flickers like a memory, the lines are like hastily scribbled notes, capturing a moment rather than aiming for perfect representation. It's all about process, about how the artist's hand moves across the plate, leaving its trace. Look closely at the drum itself. See how Israels uses a dense network of lines to create the illusion of volume and texture? The drum is almost palpable, you can practically hear the echo of the drumbeat in those lines. It's not just about depicting a drum; it's about the energy, the rhythm, the sheer physicality of making music. Israels reminds me a bit of Degas, especially in his ability to capture fleeting moments of everyday life. But where Degas is all about elegance and refinement, Israels is rougher, more immediate. Both artists embrace ambiguity, celebrating the messy, imperfect beauty of the world around us.