Koppen van een vrouw en een figuur c. 1885 - 1902

Jozef Israëls created this drawing, "Koppen van een vrouw en een figuur," with a delicate hand using graphite on paper. The composition features two studies, a woman's head in profile on the left and another form on the right, each rendered with a network of light, exploratory lines. The subtle use of line and shading constructs an interplay between presence and absence, where the forms seem to emerge from the blankness of the page. Israëls’ approach to line reflects a concern with structure and form. This interest in form over representation shifts the focus to the very act of seeing and understanding the world through its basic components. The image invites us to consider how the artist uses line to capture not just the appearance of his subjects but also their essence. The drawing embodies a philosophical reflection on art’s capacity to reveal rather than merely replicate. It encourages us to appreciate the beauty and complexity of simple marks.