Vrouwenkop c. 1885 - 1911

Jozef Israëls made this drawing of a woman’s head with graphite on paper. The medium of graphite offers an immediacy to the artist, allowing them to capture fleeting expressions and subtle nuances of form. The visible strokes and erasures suggest an evolving, intuitive process, revealing the artist's hand and decisions. We see an intimate glimpse into Israëls’ working method, the sketchbook acting as a space for experimentation. The artist seems to have worked rapidly, with the bare minimum of materials, focusing on the subject with a soft and delicate touch, using quick, light strokes to create a sense of volume and shadow. The material quality of the graphite lends itself to subtle gradations of tone, which Israëls uses to great effect in modeling the woman’s face. It is important to note that Israëls didn't labour the image into a finished piece. By looking closely at the materials and the making, we gain insight into the artist's intentions and creative practice.