Zittende vrouw, mogelijk een artiest c. 1930 - 1934

Isaac Israels made this sketch of a seated woman, possibly an artist, sometime between 1880 and 1934, using graphite on paper. This quick sketch gives the impression of a spontaneous moment. Israels was part of the Amsterdam Impressionism movement. The late 19th century Dutch art world was beginning to break away from the formal, academic style towards a more modern, impressionistic style. You can see how this sketch captures a fleeting moment, a key feature of Impressionism. It’s likely that Israels made this study in preparation for a larger painting. Israels came from a family of artists and intellectuals; he was well-connected in the art world of the Netherlands. His father, Jozef Israels, was a well-known painter of the Hague School. Understanding the context in which an artwork was produced helps us to fully appreciate it. By exploring the social and artistic circles that Israels moved in and looking at similar studies from the period, we can develop a deeper understanding of his work.