Staande vrouw in uniform met sabel, in profiel 1875 - 1934

Editor: So this is Isaac Israels’ pencil drawing, “Standing Woman in Uniform with Sabre, in Profile”, which he made sometime between 1875 and 1934. I am intrigued by how the seemingly hasty sketch manages to convey such a clear impression. What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: For me, this drawing has a raw and unfiltered quality. It’s almost as if we’re looking over Israels' shoulder as he's capturing a fleeting moment. The looseness of the lines isn't just carelessness; it speaks to the urgency and dynamism of Impressionism. Do you feel like you can sense the energy in the movement of his hand? Editor: Absolutely! It’s there, but it's more than just capturing movement. It feels like the very idea of a soldier is distilled into a few strokes. It has so much character, and evokes emotions beyond what I would have expected. I guess this would be quite a radical approach for that time? Curator: Exactly. Israels belonged to a group of artists interested in depicting modern life in unconventional ways. Instead of perfectly rendered portraits commissioned by the elite, they were more interested in capturing everyday life – and in a style that reflected its pace and fleeting nature. It feels really revolutionary. The woman in uniform, with her sabre, could be interpreted as a symbol of authority, yes, but her posture seems a little bit melancholic. What does this drawing evoke for you? Editor: The seeming vulnerability beneath the strength. I guess it shows the power of a simple sketch to capture not just likeness but character and emotion, which will impact the perception of reality beyond superficial appearances. Thank you, I learned something! Curator: The pleasure was all mine! It is about recognizing beauty and character in the quotidian. That is a powerful realization for sure.