Standbeeld, mogelijk aan de rand van een park c. 1919

Isaac Israels made this pencil sketch, Standbeeld, mogelijk aan de rand van een park, whenever he got around to it, on whatever paper he had at hand. You know, sketching is a process of thinking. Look at the hatching, the quick, diagonal strokes. It reminds me of how I build up layers in my paintings, except here, Israels is using line to suggest form and shadow. The statue itself is barely there, just a few squiggles, but the space around it, the park, feels so present. What I love about this piece is its ambiguity. Is that a reflection in the water, or just more scribbles? It doesn't really matter. Israels is capturing a feeling, a moment. Think of Constantin Guys, a similar approach to seeing the world! Art isn't about answers, but asking better questions!