Slapende vrouw 1875 - 1934

This drawing of a sleeping woman was made by Isaac Israels, though when exactly, is unknown. Look at the quiet confidence of these lines. They feel economical, like the artist has an intimate understanding of the human form. I'm thinking about what it must have been like to create this, quickly capturing a fleeting moment in a single sitting. It's a way of seeing and being in the world, one that many artists have explored over time. The immediacy of the drawing makes me think of artists like Manet or Degas, who were also interested in capturing everyday life. But Israels has his own unique vision. See how the cross-hatching renders the shadows around the figure's face and hands? I imagine Israels finding inspiration from the world around him and responding to it with sensitivity. He is part of an ongoing artistic exchange. Each artist builds on what came before, pushing the boundaries of representation.