Figuren op het strand 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing, Figuren op het strand, using graphite on paper, and it really feels like the hand was moving quickly, trying to catch the figures on the beach before they moved away. I love how the graphite is layered to create a moody sky. You can feel Israels' quick strokes as he’s trying to capture the essence of the figures. I imagine him squinting, trying to block out the sun, moving back and forth, capturing the scene. Look how he captures the texture of the clouds, and the open space of the beach. There’s an intimacy here, like a personal diary entry. It reminds me of other artists like Daumier, who captured everyday life with a similar kind of immediacy. Artists are always in conversation with each other across time. We make, we look, and we make again. It's an ongoing process.