Figuurstudies c. 1915s - 1925s

Isaac Israels made this study of figures on paper, and what strikes me is how immediate it feels, like a quick thought jotted down. You know, when you're trying to catch something before it disappears. The marks are so light, barely there, yet they suggest so much about form and weight. Look at the way he’s captured the tilt of a head, or the suggestion of clothing. It's like he's feeling his way around the shapes, letting the pencil lead him. There's a vulnerability in the sketchiness, a willingness to leave things unresolved. It reminds me of Cy Twombly’s drawings, in that sense of capturing a fleeting moment. Both artists share an ability to embrace imperfection and ambiguity, showing us that art isn't about having all the answers, but about the ongoing process of searching.