Man, ten halven lijve c. 1925s

Here's the script: Isaac Israels made this sketchy drawing, Man, ten halven lijve, with what looks like a graphite pencil. It’s all about the line, isn’t it? The way he’s mapped out the figure with such quick, almost scribbled lines. You can see how the process of drawing is right there on the page. Look at how Israels suggests the shadow on the man's face with just a few darker strokes. It’s not about perfection or detail but about capturing a fleeting moment. It feels like a quick study, a snapshot of someone he saw and wanted to remember. Those lines around the jacket are so loose, but they totally work. There’s something immediate and raw about it. It reminds me a bit of some of Degas’ drawings, that same interest in capturing modern life with a sense of casual immediacy. Art isn’t about answers; it’s about keeping the conversation going.