Hoofden van mannen en vrouwen 1875 - 1934

Editor: This drawing, "Hoofden van mannen en vrouwen," attributed to Isaac Israels and created sometime between 1875 and 1934, features a series of sketched heads, almost like a practice sheet. It's interesting to see the raw process and the variation in pressure of the pencil. What do you see in this piece, looking at the artistic process and the materials themselves? Curator: It's crucial to consider the very materiality of this sketchbook page. The cheap paper, the graphite, the swift application – all point to the economic realities and artistic labor of the time. Were these sketches preparatory studies, or idle musings? What societal role did sketching play in late 19th and early 20th century art education? What can we glean about artistic labor from a 'quick sketch' like this, versus a more 'finished' work? Editor: So, you're less focused on the subjects themselves and more on the context of its making? Curator: Precisely! Think of it as uncovering the conditions of its production. The quick strokes, the repeated forms - is this efficient use of materials born of necessity, or is it an active choice rejecting a culture of refined detail? Is the sketchbook itself a challenge to the traditional finished artwork? Editor: That's a very different way of looking at art than I'm used to, it gives an important perspective on daily artistic practices. Curator: Art doesn't exist in a vacuum. Understanding the means and context of production exposes the labour, choices, and sometimes, the inherent social commentaries within a work that we might otherwise miss. I think I have a different appreciation of initial sketches now!