Architectuurstudie c. 1915s - 1925s

Isaac Israels made this architectural study with graphite on paper, and it's held at the Rijksmuseum. I love these types of drawings! There's something so intimate and immediate about the way he captures the bones of the architecture with just a few lines. You can almost feel the weight of the structure, but also the lightness of the artist's touch. I imagine Israels standing there, quickly sketching, trying to grasp the essence of the building before the light changes or his attention wanders. You can see the energy in the lines, how they converge and diverge, creating a sense of depth and space. It makes me think about all the other artists who have stood in similar spots, sketching and observing, adding their own voices to this ongoing visual conversation. It's a reminder that painting is a way of seeing, of thinking, and of being in the world.