Straatfeest 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing called ‘Straatfeest’ using sketchy charcoal lines. It’s like he was trying to catch the feeling of the street party rather than making a perfect picture. The charcoal is smudgy and thick in places, especially where the crowd is bunched together. You can almost feel the energy and the bodies pushing around. Then, in the background, the lines are lighter and fade away, creating a sense of space and distance. It's like a map of the artist’s attention. See how the marks cluster and swirl to suggest depth and movement? The eye jumps to one area and then another, never settling. This kind of drawing reminds me of Daumier, who also used quick lines to capture the hustle and bustle of city life. It tells us that art doesn’t always need to be precise. Sometimes, it’s more interesting when it's messy and full of life.