Rijtuigen op straat 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing of carriages in the street with charcoal. Looking at the dominant marks and smudges, I imagine the artist quickly trying to capture the scene, smearing and rubbing the charcoal to get a sense of light and movement. I sympathize with Israels, trying to capture a fleeting moment. You can almost feel the city's hustle and bustle. I wonder if he was thinking about how to convey not just the appearance of the carriages, but also the feeling of being in that place at that time. The thick, dark lines suggest weight and presence, while the lighter areas hint at the play of light on the street. The way the charcoal is applied, almost like handwriting, reminds me that artists are in an ongoing conversation, inspiring each other across time. Painting, like any art form, is an embodied expression, embracing ambiguity and uncertainty, allowing for multiple interpretations.