Abklatsch van de krijttekening op blad 13 recto 1875 - 1934

This offset of a chalk drawing on sheet 13 recto was made by Isaac Israels. I can imagine Israels making this drawing, smudging the chalk to capture a quick impression of the people in front of him. The blurred quality of the figures is interesting; they become ghost-like, with light and dark lines merging together. The person in the foreground has a mass of hair which looks so contemporary. I wonder if he was looking at Daumier? I can imagine Israels sketching in a cafe, recording everyday life. The drawing has an intimate quality, like a glimpse into a private moment. In the end, it’s not about clear representation, but about the energy and movement he has captured. And that energy carries across the years, sparking something in me.