Figuurstudies 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing of figure studies with graphite on paper. It’s all about the immediacy of mark-making. The lines are quick, searching, like he’s trying to capture a fleeting moment or idea. It’s like thinking through drawing, a process of discovery right there on the page. There's a real sense of energy in the way he's layered those marks, you can almost feel the movement and the speed of his hand. Look at how the shading is built up with these bold, diagonal strokes, giving weight and form to these figures, even though they’re just suggestions. The lack of detail invites you to fill in the gaps, to imagine the scene for yourself. See that one dark, almost scribbled area? It anchors the whole composition, giving a sense of depth. Israels was a contemporary of people like Ernst Ludwig Kirchner who was also exploring this quick, expressive way of capturing figures in urban settings. This drawing feels like a similar urge to grasp at the transient nature of modern life. It reminds us that art doesn’t always have to be about perfection or finish; sometimes, it’s about the raw, unfiltered expression of an idea.