Figuren op straat, bij regen c. 1886 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this sketch of figures in the rain, probably en plein air. It's all about capturing a fleeting moment, a feeling, more than rendering the details. Look at the charcoal strokes – they’re so immediate, so gestural! The texture of the paper shows through, giving it a raw, unfinished feel. Israels isn't trying to hide the process; he's embracing it. The charcoal is thick in some areas, smudged and faded in others, creating depth and atmosphere. There's a vertical mark to the right that suggests a building, or perhaps just a streak of rain. It anchors the composition and draws your eye through the chaos. It reminds me a little of some of Whistler's nocturnes. Both artists understood that art is about suggestion, not dictation. Israels invites you to fill in the blanks, to experience the rain-soaked street for yourself.