Figuurstudies c. 1915s - 1925s

Isaac Israels made these figure studies sometime between 1880 and 1934 with a pencil on paper. There's something so beautiful about seeing the raw bones of an artist's process, isn't there? Looking at these sketches, I imagine Israels in his studio, quickly capturing the essence of his subjects with a flurry of lines. He's not precious or careful; he’s all about speed and getting the gesture just right. Each stroke feels intuitive, like he's trying to understand the form from the inside out. It reminds me of those old master drawings, where you can see the artist thinking through the pencil. The way he suggests volume with just a few lines is pure magic. It's a reminder that painting isn't just about the finished product, it's about the journey, the exploration, and the conversation between the artist and the subject. The exchange is ongoing, and painters are constantly in conversation with one another, building on ideas over time. This piece is a study in ambiguity, offering multiple interpretations of form and expression.