Studie, mogelijk een figuurstudie c. 1925s

This drawing of a figure was made by Isaac Israels, but we don't know exactly when. It's in the Rijksmuseum. Look at how the pale blue lines build up the face, like the artist is feeling around for the form. There's a double image, almost like the artist is thinking through the problem of how to represent someone. It feels really immediate, doesn't it? Like a glimpse into his process, into his mind. The drawing reminds me of other sketches I’ve seen of figures from that period by artists like Degas, but with a more tentative and vulnerable touch. It’s like he's asking himself: what does it mean to capture a likeness? How can you convey something essential about a person with just a few lines? Israels invites us to participate in that conversation, to bring our own interpretations to the work. It’s not about perfection or accuracy, but about the ongoing process of seeing and understanding.