Twee jongleurs c. 1915s - 1925s

Isaac Israels made this pencil drawing, "Twee jongleurs," in the late 19th or early 20th century. Israels came from an artistic family, and the social realism he learned from his father is evident in his focus on everyday life and ordinary people. This sketch captures two street performers, likely working-class individuals trying to make a living through their physical skills. The quick, loose lines suggest a sense of movement and energy, reflecting the dynamic nature of their performance. During this period, the representation of marginalized communities in art was often fraught with stereotypes. Israels, however, seems to approach his subjects with a degree of empathy, depicting them in a moment of labor rather than reducing them to caricatures. The lack of idealization, combined with the intimate, informal style, hints at a desire to portray these individuals with dignity and respect. Israels once said, "I paint what I see and what touches me." Perhaps it was this human connection that drew him to capture this fleeting moment of working-class life.