Twee variétéartiesten op een podium 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing of two variety artists on a stage, using charcoal, likely in preparation for a painting. What strikes me is the dynamism of the strokes. Look how they capture not just the appearance, but the essence of movement, the immediacy of performance. It's like a dance of charcoal on paper. The texture here is raw. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving quickly, capturing fleeting moments. The marks are thick, decisive. Notice the dense, cross-hatched area, creating a sense of shadow and weight. It’s a masterclass in using minimal means to suggest form and depth. The negative space is as important as the charcoal itself, defining the figures with an airy lightness. Israels reminds me a little of Degas with his focus on performance and bodies in motion. But here, there's a certain grit, a kind of raw energy that feels very contemporary. Art isn't about fixed meanings, it's an ongoing conversation, a push and pull of ideas across time.