Figuren rond een piano c. 1915s - 1925s

Isaac Israels made this sketch, Figuren rond een piano, with a graphite pencil in his sketchbook. It’s a light, almost fleeting impression, like a memory half-caught. The hatching around the base of the piano is so free and expressive, it’s where Israels really lets loose. The marks aren't just descriptive; they create a sense of depth and atmosphere, almost like musical vibrations emanating from the scene. You can practically hear the faint sound of the piano, right? Israels' contemporary Edgar Degas often used these sparse compositional arrangements. Both artists capture a sense of casual intimacy, an unposed moment, and that's what makes it so engaging. Art isn't always about perfect representation, but it is about capturing a feeling, an essence.