Staande vrouw by Isaac Israels

Staande vrouw

1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels's Profile Picture

Isaac Israels

1865 - 1934

Location

Rijksmuseum
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Artwork details

Medium
drawing, paper, pencil
Location
Rijksmuseum
Copyright
Rijks Museum: Open Domain

Tags

#portrait#drawing#pencil sketch#figuration#paper#pencil#sketchbook drawing

About this artwork

Isaac Israels made this simple sketch of a standing woman with pencil on paper, and it's all about the touch. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving quickly, capturing the essence of the figure with just a few lines. The sketch is raw, immediate; the artist is thinking through the pencil. There's a real energy in the way he lays down each stroke. The lines aren't precious; they overlap and intersect, creating a sense of movement and volume. Look at the way he suggests the folds of her dress, or the curve of her shoulder. It's all done with such economy and confidence. It reminds me a bit of Matisse’s drawings, where he was able to capture so much with so little. And like those drawings, this sketch invites us to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the simple line.

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