Zittende man met bolhoed 1875 - 1934

Isaac Israels sketched this man in a bowler hat with a simple graphite pencil on paper. Israels came of age during the fin de siècle, a period characterized by social transformation and burgeoning artistic experimentation. Israels' impressionistic style captured fleeting moments of everyday life, often focusing on urban scenes and figures. “Zittende man met bolhoed” provides an intimate glimpse into the life of an anonymous man in a bowler hat. The bowler, a staple among the working and middle classes, subtly hints at the sitter’s identity and socio-economic position. What do you think this reveals about his identity? Through his simple sketch, Israels invites us to reflect on the complex identities of individuals navigating the rapidly changing urban landscape of his time. It remains a sensitive portrayal that transcends the artist’s era.