Lopende vrouw, op de rug gezien 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing of a running woman, seen from the back, using what looks like charcoal. The artist's hand moved quickly, laying down lines to capture a fleeting moment. It feels intuitive, immediate. I wonder if he was in the middle of a bustling city when he made this. Maybe he saw her running, and quickly sketched her before she disappeared into the crowd. I can imagine him trying to keep up with her pace, his charcoal dancing across the page. It is such a simple drawing, really. But it perfectly conveys the sense of movement and energy. I love how Israels managed to suggest so much with so little. It reminds me of Degas' dancers, or some of Whistler's quick sketches. Artists, always learning from each other. This piece feels like a reminder that art doesn't always have to be grand or complicated. Sometimes, the most powerful things are the simplest and most immediate.