Twee figuurstudies 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this drawing, ‘Twee figuurstudies’, at an unknown date, and it now resides in the Rijksmuseum. It shows two figures in an indistinct space, rendered with loose, charcoal-like strokes. Israels was a Dutch painter who came of age in the late 19th century, a time when artists were moving away from academic traditions and seeking to capture modern life. Consider the context: the Netherlands was undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization. Artists like Israels turned their attention to the everyday, depicting street scenes, cafes, and working-class people. This drawing, with its focus on anonymous figures and its sketchy, informal style, reflects that shift. The drawing suggests a deliberate rejection of formal portraiture. Who are these figures? What are they doing? Israels doesn't tell us. Instead, he invites us to consider the conditions of modern life. What did it mean to be an anonymous figure in a rapidly changing society? Art historians can delve into archives, letters, and period publications to further illuminate the social conditions that gave rise to this image, and to understand how Israels' work engaged with the pressing issues of his time.