Schets van een kop 1834 - 1911

Jozef Israëls created this drawing, "Schets van een kop," with pencil on paper. It is currently held in the Rijksmuseum. The sketch presents us with an immediate sense of intimacy and introspection through its delicate lines and focus on the subject's face. The composition is dominated by the head, drawn with a series of lines that define the contours of the face and hair. Israëls skillfully uses line work to suggest form and shadow, while leaving much of the figure undefined. This technique draws attention to the face's expression, a contemplative or melancholic mood which encourages viewers to project their emotions onto the subject. This drawing exists at the intersection of observation and expression. Israëls uses a structural framework to explore deeper emotional or psychological states. The sketch can be viewed as a site for exploring representation and interpretation.