Staande vrouw, in profiel 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels created 'Standing Woman, in Profile' with chalk, and probably in a hurry, given the frenetic energy of the lines. What strikes me about this drawing is the layering. It's all chalk on paper, but look closer. See how Israels uses hatching to build up darker areas, like the woman's hair, and then leaves other areas almost untouched, just a ghost of a line suggesting a form? It's like he's thinking out loud, letting us see the process of the drawing unfold. The way the lines scratch and dart around the page reminds me of Degas. He was also interested in capturing fleeting moments, the energy of the body in motion. I like how Israels embraces the messiness of the medium. It's not about perfection; it's about capturing a feeling, a sense of presence. And that's what makes it so alive, so real.