Ezel c. 1890 - 1920

This sketch of a donkey by Isaac Israels, made with graphite on paper, is a perfect example of how much information you can convey with so little. It's all about the process of seeing and then finding the right marks to capture that. Israels isn't precious here. The lines are scratchy, searching for the form. Look at how he suggests the donkey's weight with just a few strokes around the legs. There’s a wonderful ambiguity in the drawing, especially around the donkey’s head. Is it tired? Stubborn? You can almost feel the texture of its rough coat in those short, broken lines. This piece reminds me a little of sketches by Degas, both in its subject matter and its directness. Like Degas, Israels is more interested in capturing a fleeting impression than creating a finished, polished work. It’s this openness, this willingness to leave things unresolved, that makes it so alive.