Drie studies van een vrouwenhoofd met hoed 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this sketch of three studies of a woman's head with a hat using graphite on paper. It's all about trying to capture a likeness, right? I can imagine Israels rapidly sketching, trying to pin down the essence of the woman. There is a real sense of energy in the marks. The graphite feels immediate, the marks laid down without hesitation. You can see the artist making decisions in real time, adjusting the lines to find the right form, the perfect tilt of the head. The shading around the face is really interesting. It reminds me of other impressionist artists, like Manet, or Degas, who were interested in depicting modern life and capturing fleeting moments. Isn't it interesting how artists are always in conversation with each other, across time? Each mark carries the weight of art history, yet also feels totally new, totally fresh.