Staande vrouw met hoed, in profiel 1875 - 1934

Editor: Here we have "Standing Woman with Hat, in Profile" by Isaac Israels, believed to be created sometime between 1875 and 1934. It’s a pencil drawing housed at the Rijksmuseum. It feels unfinished, almost like a fleeting impression. What can you tell me about how the artist uses form in this piece? Curator: Note how Israels uses primarily diagonal and horizontal strokes to convey a sense of form and depth, with the hatching suggesting the fall of light across the figure. The repeated strokes add weight to the figure and give volume to the drapery. Where does the artist's attention seem focused, and where does it dissipate? Editor: It seems most focused around the head and shoulders, then looser around the bottom of her dress. Are you saying that the direction of the strokes dictates the sense of space? Curator: Precisely. The controlled chaos of lines not only defines the figure but also implies a sense of movement, which gives energy to a rather static subject. What effect does the bareness of the untouched paper have on our reading of the piece? Editor: The emptiness surrounding the figure makes her appear isolated. It almost forces me to consider the contrast between the dense hatching defining her form and the flat, blank space. The artist almost seems to be making her materialize out of nothingness. Curator: That is a compelling point. The lack of background emphasizes the interplay of light and shadow on the figure itself, thereby drawing attention to the core formal elements. I am not sure I can disagree with this analysis. Editor: It's interesting to see how a sketch can reveal so much about an artist’s process. I see it now!