Studieblad met vrouwenhoofden 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this study sheet of women's heads, and what grabs me is the immediacy of the graphite on paper, the sense of a direct connection between eye and hand. You can almost feel him circling each head, searching for the right line. Look closely at the shading around the eyes of the woman at the top – it’s like he’s mapping the contours of her face, building up tone with layers of delicate marks. There's a real tenderness in the way he renders her features. And then notice how quickly he moves on, capturing another expression, another angle. It's like a visual diary, a record of his looking. There’s something reminiscent of Degas in Israels’ quick, fluid lines and intimate portrayal of women. Both artists share a similar interest in capturing fleeting moments and private gestures. This piece reminds us that art is always a conversation, an ongoing exploration of form and feeling.