Twee vrouwen, mogelijk lopend c. 1886 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing of two women, possibly walking, with charcoal on paper. You can see how the charcoal is layered to create depth, giving the image a dynamic energy. It's like he’s figuring out how to capture movement itself. There's something so immediate about charcoal; you can feel the artist's hand moving across the page. Look at the way he's rendered the women's dresses: loose, gestural strokes that convey the fabric’s weight and flow. Then, notice the faces, they’re more defined, with subtle shading that hints at their expression. That contrast is so intriguing to me. It feels almost like a quick note jotted down in a sketchbook, reminding me of the immediacy of Degas' drawings. I think art is about capturing a moment and leaving room for the viewer to participate in its unfolding.