Figuurstudies 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this sketch of figures with pencil on paper; we don't know exactly when. You can see the making so clearly here, the ghost of the artist present through the marks they left behind. Look at the subtle gradations of tone achieved through the layering of graphite. It's as though Israels is not just depicting figures, but also the very act of seeing and recording them. I love the energy of the lines here, quick, urgent, and economical. Check out the way he suggests the presence of figures with just a few strokes, leaving so much to our imagination. The way Israels captures light and shadow reminds me of the drawings of Degas. Both artists embraced the immediacy of the sketch, prioritizing movement and atmosphere over strict representation. Ultimately, this drawing reminds us that art is not just about what we see, but also about how we see, and how we translate our perceptions into form.