Schetsboek II met 23 bladen met studies van vrouwelijk naakt 1875 - 1934

Here we see a sketchbook containing studies of female nudes made by Isaac Israels in the late 19th or early 20th century. Nudity, as a motif, is a complex symbol with roots stretching back to antiquity, representing vulnerability, honesty, and the idealization of the human form. Consider how, in ancient Greek sculpture, the nude form embodied heroic ideals and divine beauty. This contrasts starkly with the medieval period, where nudity was often associated with shame and sin. But here, Israels appears to reclaim the classical admiration for the human body. These nudes, caught in informal poses, reflect a shift towards realism and the exploration of individual human experience. The act of studying the nude is itself a potent symbol, a way for the artist to explore the depths of human experience and emotion. This recurring motif evolves through time, and like a cultural echo, resonates across centuries, shifting and adapting to reflect the ever-changing values and perceptions of society.