Vrouwenhoofd met hoed c. 1886 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing, Vrouwenhoofd met hoed, with pencil on paper. It’s like he’s trying to capture a fleeting thought, a memory half-formed. You can almost feel the artist circling, searching for the right lines to define the woman's face, the tilt of her hat. I imagine Israels quickly sketching in a cafe, trying to capture the essence of his sitter amidst the hustle and bustle. There’s a vulnerability in the sketchiness, an openness that invites us into his process. The hat, with its looping curves, contrasts with the more angular lines around the face, creating a subtle tension. It feels like he's figuring things out as he goes, embracing the messiness of observation. It reminds me that art isn't about perfection, but about the artist's attempt to understand and express the world around them. Drawing is such an immediate medium. It's like thinking with your hand.