Vrouwenhoofd 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing, *Vrouwenhoofd*, with pencil on paper, and it’s all about the immediacy of process. It's a study, capturing a fleeting moment. The energy in this sketch comes from the contrast between the tight, scribbled lines that form the woman’s hair and the open, airy strokes suggesting her clothing. The weight of the pencil varies, creating depth and shadow with a beautiful economy of means. Look at the lines describing her face – see how the artist uses hatching to model the contours of her cheek and brow, giving her a sense of presence. It's not about perfection, but about the gesture of looking and translating that into marks. This piece reminds me of sketches by Degas, especially his drawings of dancers. Both artists share an interest in capturing the human figure in motion, and in finding beauty in the everyday. Israels and Degas remind us that art is a language of seeing and feeling.