Figuurstudies c. 1915s - 1925s

Isaac Israels made this drawing of figures, using graphite on paper. Looking at this sheet, I feel like I'm catching a glimpse into the artist's sketchbook. It's all about the dance between observation and mark-making. I can imagine Israels quickly sketching, trying to capture the essence of the figures with the fewest possible lines. You know, that feeling of wanting to grab something before it disappears. It's almost like the figures are fleeting, and he's trying to hold onto them. I feel like he's really pushing the idea of suggestion here. He doesn't need to give us all the details; instead, he offers a sense of form and presence. You see a shape, an impression, and your mind fills in the blanks. It makes me think about the way Egon Schiele or maybe even Klimt used line. There’s an intimate, vulnerable quality to the work. It's like the artist is saying, "Here's what I saw, now you see it too." And isn't that what art is all about?