Lopende vrouw 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels sketched this ‘Lopende Vrouw’ or ‘Running Woman’ with graphite on lined paper. The artist's choice of humble materials is telling, and gives us a glimpse into the artist’s process. Israels’ quick lines capture a sense of movement, a fleeting moment in time, and the texture of the paper shows through, adding depth and immediacy to the sketch. The deliberate roughness emphasizes the act of drawing itself. Rather than concealing the labor involved, Israels puts it front and center. Consider the social context: paper became increasingly accessible and affordable, as did graphite pencils, enabling artists to experiment freely. Israels' sketch represents a shift towards a more democratic art world, where the creative process is valued as much as the finished product. It invites us to consider the labor, materials, and social forces that shape the creation of art, blurring the boundaries between high art and everyday life.