Voorbijgangers, waarschijnlijk op de Herengracht te Amsterdam c. 1886 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing of passersby on the Herengracht in Amsterdam with a pencil. Look at how rapidly he has captured the figures with layers of marks and erasures, searching for the forms that dance on the page. I can imagine Israels quickly sketching, trying to capture movement and fleeting moments. The figures aren't defined by their outlines, but rather by these gestural marks suggesting their presence. The repetition of lines and the areas of shading creates a sense of depth and volume, like he’s sculpting the image out of light and shadow. I bet Israels was interested in the work of other artists. You can sense this piece is part of a broader conversation about how to record life. Drawing is often a conversation like that – marks build on marks. It’s an ongoing exchange of ideas across time. Like looking, making art is another way of seeing, thinking, and feeling.