Zittende figuur met een hand onder het hoofd 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels created this graphite drawing, "Zittende figuur met een hand onder het hoofd," sometime in his career. Notice the immediacy captured in this drawing through Israels' expressive use of line and shading. The composition is divided between three studies on two sketchbook pages, each offering a glimpse into Israels' process of observation. The loose, gestural lines convey a sense of movement and spontaneity, typical of Israels' impressionistic approach. Israels’ mark-making suggests a focus on capturing the fleeting essence of the figure rather than a detailed depiction. The tonal variations, achieved through hatching and shading, add depth and volume to the form, while also emphasizing the play of light and shadow. The arrangement invites us to consider how the artist explores the relationship between form and space. It is an invitation to appreciate the beauty of the sketch as a form of artistic expression in its own right.