Studie 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this Studie with charcoal on paper, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. It's a real scribble, isn't it? I love how immediate it feels. It’s like he’s trying to capture a fleeting impression, and isn't too worried about tidiness. The marks are so physical. You can almost feel the pressure of his hand as he moved the charcoal across the page. See how some of the lines are thick and dark, while others are light and feathery? It's like he's exploring the different textures and densities that charcoal can create. Look at that looping line near the centre. It could be anything, a face, a dress, maybe just a random flourish, but whatever it is, it gives the whole thing a sense of movement. Reminds me of Manet, who was also interested in capturing the fleeting moments of modern life. But while Manet's paintings are often polished and refined, this drawing is raw and unfiltered. It's like a glimpse into the artist's mind, a record of his thought process. It’s the kind of thing that makes you think about art as a process, rather than just a finished product.