Lopende vrouw, op de rug gezien 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing of a running woman, seen from the back, with charcoal on paper. You can almost feel the speed and urgency in the way he attacked the paper! Look at the texture he achieves with just a few dark, scribbled lines. It's all about the physicality of the medium here. The charcoal is smudged and layered, creating a sense of depth and movement. See how the dark strokes around her legs give the impression of her legs being in mid-stride? It’s like he's captured a fleeting moment, an impression more than a portrait. The way Israels uses these marks reminds me of Degas, who also was so good at capturing people in movement. It’s not about perfection; it’s about the energy of the moment. Art doesn't have to be neat and tidy; sometimes, it's more powerful when it's raw and a little messy.