Rok en schoenen c. 1886 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing, Rok en schoenen, with pencil on paper, but we don’t know exactly when. The softness of the medium allows for a real fluidity of line, almost like he’s sketching the movement of the air around the objects. There's a real economy of means here. Look closely, and you'll see how he uses a variety of marks – some soft and blurry, others sharp and decisive – to suggest form and texture. This reminds me of the way I approach my own painting practice; it’s all about building up layers and responding to the evolving image. There's a kind of vulnerability in this drawing. It feels like a quick, spontaneous sketch, capturing a fleeting moment in time. It could be compared to the drawings of Degas, which are similarly preoccupied with capturing the ephemeral beauty of everyday life. Ultimately, Israels invites us to slow down, to look closely, and to find beauty in the unexpected.