Reclining Female Nude 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this Reclining Female Nude with graphite on paper. It's all about capturing a moment, those quick, searching lines trying to nail down the essence of the figure. I can imagine Israels, rapidly sketching, eyes darting between model and paper. It's that initial burst of seeing that he's after, when the form is fresh. Look at the economy of line – a few strokes and the torso exists. There is something so intimate about seeing the artist’s hand at work, making marks that coalesce into form. You can feel the artist trying to quickly capture the pose and light, the fleeting impression of a body at rest. In a way, it’s an act of empathy, a connection between the artist and the model, but also a connection to artists throughout time who have sought to capture the human form.