Vrouw, ten halven lijve c. 1915s - 1925s

This loose sketch, titled "Vrouw, ten halven lijve" ("Woman, Half-Length") was created by Dutch painter Isaac Israels between the 1910s and 1920s. The piece, now part of the Rijksmuseum collection, showcases Israels' distinctive style through the use of quick, expressive strokes. The focus is on the woman's head and shoulders, with her features rendered in a suggestive, almost abstract manner. The piece is a testament to the artist's fascination with capturing the essence of a subject through swift, unrefined lines. It highlights his ability to create a feeling of movement and energy in a simple pencil sketch, drawing attention to the ephemeral nature of human expression.