Ezel c. 1890 - 1920

Here's this graphite drawing on paper of a donkey, made by Isaac Israels. It’s all about the line here, isn’t it? And the space _around_ the line. I can just see Israels there, maybe in a field, just trying to get the essence of this beast, this donkey, down on the page. He’s not trying to get every detail perfect, it’s like he’s trying to capture something of the donkey’s spirit. The marks are so light and airy; it feels almost like he’s chasing the donkey across the page. And look at the way he’s suggested the form with just a few quick strokes; the donkey’s leg suggested with such simple lines. This piece reminds me a little of some of Degas’ drawings; he was so interested in capturing movement and form in a very loose, almost impressionistic way. Israels and Degas are both part of a lineage of artists constantly responding to each other, pushing the boundaries of what drawing can be.