Luitspeler 1878 - 1934

Curator: Here we have “Luitspeler,” or “Lute Player,” a drawing by Isaac Israels, made sometime between 1878 and 1934. It resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Ah, yes, the first thing that strikes me is how fleeting it feels, almost like a musical note itself fading away. A man sketched so quickly he might vanish if you blink. Curator: Exactly. It captures that wonderful impressionistic quality. Israels, known for his swift strokes, was after the immediate impression of light and movement, and less about meticulous detail. The very essence of modern life at the turn of the century. Editor: And look how he uses negative space to suggest volume! That slightly bulbous form he’s perched upon feels grounded, solid. I get the sense it's an old barrel that's had many stories and perhaps many musicians, leaned against it over time. A perfect partner for his lute playing and thoughts. Curator: Yes, the cross-hatching adds weight there. And observe the subject himself – his posture, legs crossed, tie and jacket; a sort of informal elegance suggesting the intersection of the mundane and the artistic spirit. It feels very personal and reflective of how much his instrument defines him. Editor: I am intrigued with how starkly we see the features in contrast to the fluidity of everything else, right? The quick lines making up the suit, for example, suggest light hitting folds. Meanwhile his gaze has an otherworldly, dreamlike quality and his ear appear somewhat like an elf's. A subtle sense of a modern minstrel perhaps. I wonder about the man's place in society at that moment, then, and now... Curator: A powerful observation, the cultural memory and endurance through the simple imagery; Israels gives the symbolic cultural weight through a specific technique of simple sketch and an uncanny but suggestive subject. Editor: Indeed! And just look at his loose rendition. Makes you want to pick up a pencil and just capture the vibe, the feeling, instead of perfection. A real celebration of raw, immediate expression. Well, this has certainly inspired some improvisational thinking, which is probably the most generous gift that an artwork can offer. Curator: Agreed. A drawing, then, of lingering resonance and open to interpretations, something which ensures "Luitspeler’s" unique musical quality will continue to evolve.