Man met opgeheven been c. 1915s - 1925s

This drawing, Man met opgeheven been, was made by Isaac Israels, but I don't know when exactly, or with what! But I can see its essence in the light, airy lines he's laid down. It's like watching a thought take shape, tentatively at first, as if he were feeling his way around the subject with the pencil. I think it's a quick sketch, you know, made on the fly? I like to imagine Isaac out in the world, sketchbook in hand, capturing fleeting moments of everyday life in those bustling streets. That raised leg - how many times did he try to get that gesture right? There’s something incredibly intimate about seeing the traces of his process. It reminds me that art isn't about perfect representation, but it's more about the act of seeing, feeling, and responding to the world around you. Artists like Isaac show us how to stay curious, keep experimenting, and embrace the beauty of imperfection!