Abklatsch van de krijttekening op blad 12 recto 1875 - 1934

This chalk drawing is by Isaac Israels, a Dutch artist who lived from 1865 to 1934. Though undated, it resides in a sketchbook held by the Rijksmuseum. Israels was a contemporary of Vincent van Gogh, and shared with him an interest in portraying modern urban life, from the working class to the fashionably dressed. In this sketch, we see a rapid study, perhaps of figures in a public space. The immediacy of the chalk medium lends itself to capturing fleeting moments, reflecting the changing rhythms of the city. Israels belonged to a generation of artists who questioned the formal academic traditions, preferring instead to engage with the realities of everyday life. The sketchbook, a portable and personal space for artistic exploration, allowed artists to break free from the constraints of the studio and engage directly with the world around them. To further understand Israels' artistic choices, one might delve into archives and exhibition records. By considering the social context in which the artwork was made, we gain insight into its meaning and significance.