Twee studies van een vrouw met meisje c. 1886 - 1934

Isaac Israels made these two studies of a woman with a girl in charcoal, and they're all about the joy of looking and the pleasure of the line. It's like Israels is dancing with his charcoal, capturing a fleeting moment with such immediacy. The lines are loose, almost scribbled, but they convey so much about the figures, their poses, and their relationship. Check out the hat on the right. It's barely there, just a few quick strokes, but it totally nails the tilt and shape of it, you know? The beauty of this piece lies in its honesty and rawness. There’s no hiding, no fussing, just pure observation. Israels lets the process show, the thinking, the searching. For me, this piece speaks to the idea of art as an ongoing conversation. It reminds me of sketches by Manet, who also had a knack for capturing everyday life with such freshness and vitality. Both artists embrace ambiguity and leave room for the viewer to fill in the blanks.