Studieblad met vrouwen 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing of women with graphite on paper. There's an immediacy in the marks, like he's capturing a fleeting moment. The smudged shading gives a sense of atmosphere, almost like looking through a soft lens. I love the economy of line – how he suggests form with just a few strokes. Notice the way he draws the figures. It’s like he is drawing a memory. The texture is smooth, except for where the graphite is layered, creating depth and shadow. The repeated motif of women’s faces, each slightly different, gives a sense of movement and change. It's a study sheet, but it feels like a complete work. The loose, gestural quality reminds me of some of Degas’ sketches. Israels invites us to see the beauty in the everyday, in the simple act of drawing and observing.