Figuurstudies 1875 - 1934

Curator: These rapidly rendered pencil drawings are studies by Isaac Israels, dating roughly from 1875 to 1934, part of the Rijksmuseum's collection. Editor: It's like a visual echo—these figures barely emerge from the paper, these ghostly bodies. I immediately think of absence. It's there in the artist’s first mark, then immediately almost removed. Curator: It speaks to Israels’ interest in capturing fleeting moments. Consider the social context—he was moving away from traditional, staged portraiture toward a more impressionistic capture of everyday life. His involvement with literary and artistic circles pushed him toward showing social interactions. Editor: So, in other words, like many modern artists, he began by refusing to capture the elite classes only? Curator: Indeed. Instead he's interested in conveying impressions— capturing figures and attitudes, rather than individual identity. Editor: So each image seems to speak about fleeting presence. Note that seated figure on the lower right; it gives off a sense of stability as if he's sat with great weight in that location many times, or the gathering of individuals implied in the sketches at top. What social roles do you see embodied here? Curator: We can’t really say for sure in these preliminary sketches. It is interesting to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in artistic representation, especially as artists like Israels started engaging with a wider social spectrum. Before it used to be the realm only of rulers or merchant class, or biblical or historical figures; the shift really affected social messaging in art. Editor: I’m struck by how he uses the pencil almost sculpturally, building up tone and shadow with repeated, scribbled marks. There's a sense of something emerging but also being resisted from complete formation. Perhaps there is a dialogue between intention and form—allowing us glimpses of something new. Curator: Precisely! What feels unfinished to us now, was really about reflecting change, showing movement within society. Editor: Looking at these figure studies has definitely offered me insight into how symbolic power has changed. Curator: And to consider the importance of representing fleeting moments. It is no small matter to recognize the power of everyday life.