Watermolen bij een stenen brug c. 1902

Jozef Israëls made this drawing of a watermill with graphite on paper. The artist has captured the scene with a keen eye for detail, using delicate lines to depict the wooden structure of the mill and the rough texture of the surrounding rocks. The way Israëls uses graphite is particularly interesting, as it allows for a wide range of tonal variations. The light and shadow effects are achieved through careful layering, creating a sense of depth and volume. The visible strokes reveal a direct engagement with the material and the process of drawing. The marks, and erasures, are not concealed, giving the work a sense of immediacy. This approach elevates the drawing beyond a mere representation of a landscape and suggests a meditation on labor, industry, and the integration of human endeavor with the natural world. By focusing on the humble material and the act of making, we can appreciate Israëls' work not just as a drawing, but as a document of social and cultural significance.