Figuren op straat, bij regen c. 1886 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing of figures in the rain with charcoal on paper. It’s all about capturing a fleeting moment, isn’t it? Look how Israels uses these bold, almost scribbled marks to build up the scene. It’s like he’s sketching the feeling of the rain, not just the rain itself. The charcoal is smudged and blended, giving a sense of movement and blur, like you’re squinting through a rain-streaked window. Notice that concentrated patch of dark scribbled marks near the bottom – it almost anchors the piece, giving weight to the ephemeral scene above. This reminds me a little of Daumier, who also captured everyday life with such immediacy. It shows how art is this ongoing conversation, each artist riffing off the last, always open to interpretation, never quite pinned down.