Girl in Front of a Mirror 1922

Isaac Israels made this pastel drawing of a girl in front of a mirror. Israels’ choice of pastel sticks, applied to paper, is significant. Unlike oil paint, which demands a lengthy process of layering and blending, pastel allows for immediate, direct mark-making. The artist captures a fleeting moment, mirroring the transience of the fashion industry itself. The wispy strokes of color perfectly evoke the textures of fabric, the soft fall of light on skin, and the general bustle of modern life. Pastels came in handy to render the nuances of social life. Here, the girl is caught in a moment of self-assessment, perhaps considering a new garment or accessory. It's a view of modern society, as the rise of consumer culture afforded new possibilities for personal expression, also tied to a whole new industry of garment workers. By attending to the everyday experiences of the people around him, Israels elevated the ordinary to the realm of art, celebrating the beauty and complexity of modern life.