Abklatsch van de krijttekening op blad 8 verso 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this chalk drawing in the Netherlands at the turn of the 20th century. As an art historian, I am drawn to the fact that this is the trace of a drawing, rather than the drawing itself. It is as if the artist is questioning the value that is traditionally placed on the original work. Israels was part of the Amsterdam Impressionism movement, which focused on capturing everyday life and the changing urban landscape. The Rijksmuseum, as an institution, has played a crucial role in shaping the narrative of Dutch art history, and works like this invite us to consider how the museum itself contributes to the construction of artistic value and meaning. To understand this drawing fully, one might delve into archival materials, artists' letters, and exhibition reviews. What can be salvaged from the drawing? Is there an essence of the work which persists even when transferred? These traces offer a glimpse into the artist's process and the social and institutional contexts in which they worked.