Figuurstudies c. 1886 - 1934

Isaac Israels made these figure studies with graphite, on paper. It's just lines, right? But look how those lines suggest movement, and weight. How he’s thinking through the poses. The drawing’s so minimal, almost ephemeral. There's nothing labored here; it’s like a quick thought jotted down. I can see the graphite kind of crumbling in places, leaving a trail of itself behind, that gives a soft kind of focus. It's not about volume; it's about getting a sense of gesture. It's like these figures are caught in a moment, or maybe moments on top of each other. It reminds me of Cy Twombly's drawings – that sense of energy, of scribbling to find form. With both artists, it's like the process of thinking becomes the art itself. It’s like art is an ongoing discussion, and each piece is just one little contribution.