Vrouwenhoofd 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing of a woman’s head, probably in a sketchbook. The marks are so light and sketchy, like whispers on paper. I imagine Israels quickly capturing what he sees, trying to catch the essence of her pose. What was she thinking? Was she lost in thought, or did she know she was being watched? I imagine him working with charcoal or graphite, quickly making marks, barely touching the paper. It's kind of like a conversation between the eye, the hand, and the subject. The way he uses just a few lines to suggest form and volume is so economical, like the work of other great sketchers like Degas. Each line seems to carry so much weight and feeling! It reminds us that drawing isn't just about copying what you see, but about feeling, responding, and interpreting. Artists, we're always riffing off of each other, trying to find our own voice in the mix!