Voorbijgangers, mogelijk op de Herengracht te Amsterdam c. 1886 - 1934

This simple sketch of passers-by, possibly on the Herengracht in Amsterdam, was made by Isaac Israels. I imagine him standing there, charcoal in hand, capturing a fleeting moment. I wonder what caught his eye? Maybe it was the way the light hit the water, or the expressions on people's faces. He’s captured some figures and what looks like a horse and cart with a few lines. A woman in the foreground takes shape with very few marks. Israels was part of a movement called the Amsterdam Impressionists, and like his peers, he was interested in capturing everyday life with an emphasis on light and atmosphere. You can almost feel the cool breeze coming off the canal. It’s a reminder that art doesn't always need to be grand or elaborate. Sometimes, the simplest sketches can be the most powerful. Just like life itself, art is always in motion, changing and evolving with each passing moment.