The Munttoren in Amsterdam, thaw weather 1918

Isaac Israels captured the Munttoren in Amsterdam on canvas with oil paints, at a time we do not know. The colour palette in this painting is muted, almost monochromatic, dominated by grays and browns, like the city itself is exhaling after a long winter. This suggests a process of artmaking that embraces the subtle nuances of light and atmosphere. If you look closely, you can see the way the paint has been applied, in visible brushstrokes, giving texture to the buildings and movement to the sky. There's a sense of immediacy, a feeling that Israels was trying to capture a fleeting moment. It's not about perfect representation, but about conveying the feeling of a thaw, of the city waking up. The artist uses a delicate touch, particularly in the upper levels of the architecture, to give a sense of depth and distance. This approach reminds me of Whistler, who also sought to capture the moods and atmospheres of urban landscapes. Both artists invite us to see beauty in the everyday, to appreciate the subtle shifts in light and color that can transform a familiar scene.