Groep zittende figuren, mogelijk een gamelanorkest 1921 - 1922

This sketch of a possible gamelan orchestra comes from the hand of Isaac Israels. It's all graphite on paper, a symphony of scribbles. I can imagine Isaac, sketchbook in tow, maybe in Java or Amsterdam, quickly capturing a group of musicians. It's like he’s not just drawing what he sees, but the sounds, the rhythms, the very air vibrating with music. The marks are all energy, a constellation of dashes, scribbles, and lines. Look at the way he renders the space around the figures. Notice how the shading suggests the movement of light and air. You can almost feel the artist’s hand moving across the page, trying to pin down a fleeting moment. He’s grabbing at something ephemeral, like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands. Like Degas, maybe, he’s interested in capturing modern life. This sketch is a reminder that sometimes the most powerful art comes from the simplest means: a pencil, paper, and a whole lot of looking. It’s about being in the world, responding, and trying to capture the essence of a moment.