Figuren, mogelijk wandelend 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing, 'Figuren, mogelijk wandelend' - which translates as Figures, possibly walking - with crayon on paper. Look at these figures, possibly walking, rendered in such minimal strokes! There’s so much energy and dynamism in these lines, like a burst of creative intuition. The figures are barely there, yet they convey a real sense of movement. Israels is capturing a fleeting moment, a glimpse of everyday life, with such economy. I can imagine Israels quickly sketching this scene, trying to capture the essence of the figures before they disappeared into the crowd. The looseness of the drawing communicates a sense of spontaneity. In my own practice, I often start with a quick sketch to get the ball rolling, and this reminds me of that initial burst of energy. It's like a painter's shorthand, capturing the essence of the scene with just a few strokes. I like to think that artists are in a constant conversation with each other, inspiring and pushing each other’s boundaries across time. And this piece is part of that never ending dialogue.