Artiesten op het toneel 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing, ‘Artists on Stage’ with pencil on paper. It's a light touch, capturing the bare bones of what’s there. I can imagine Israels' eye darting about, quickly noting down what he sees. The stage setting with those vertical lines and the performers captured in these loose scribbles. This isn’t about detail; it's about the energy of the scene. What does this stage feel like? What does it feel like to be backstage? This drawing reminds me of the work of Edgar Degas. Degas often sketched dancers backstage as well. There is a similar approach to capturing the scene. Israels focuses on the atmosphere and the fleeting gestures of the performers. It's almost as if the paper is a stage itself, with Israels directing the scene with his pencil. Artists are always looking, always interpreting, each adding their unique mark to the ongoing conversation of art!