Zittende figuur, mogelijk een jongen 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this sketch of a seated figure, possibly a boy, with graphite on paper. It's a study, a kind of thinking through drawing. Look at the tentative lines, how they search and suggest. See the way the artist captures the essence of the figure with such minimal means. It’s a dance between what is shown and what is left for us to imagine. The sketch is all about gesture and suggestion. The lines around the head are particularly interesting, they're kind of scribbly. This feels very present, like we're witnessing the artist's thought process. This sketch reminds me a little of Degas, who also was interested in capturing fleeting moments. There's something humble and honest about Israels' work. It invites us to slow down and appreciate the beauty in the everyday. Ultimately, art is about opening up possibilities, not closing them down.