Gezicht van een vrouw, in profiel 1887 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this pencil drawing, 'Gezicht van een vrouw, in profiel', exploring how a few simple lines can suggest a whole world of form and feeling. It’s like he's saying, "Here’s the essence, fill in the rest yourself." Look at how he captures the curve of her head with such delicate strokes, and the way the hair is just a scribble of energy. It feels spontaneous, like a fleeting moment captured on paper. The pressure of the pencil varies, giving depth and shadow with minimal means, so that the ear is really just an abstract scribble, and the nose a quick hook. It reminds me of some of Degas' drawings, where the line is everything, capturing movement and emotion with incredible efficiency. Art isn't about perfection; it's about the conversation, the sharing of ideas and ways of seeing.