Twee vrouwen op straat c. 1886 - 1903

Isaac Israels made this sketch of two women on the street with charcoal on paper. Israels was part of the Amsterdam Impressionism movement. This focused on capturing everyday life in the rapidly changing city in The Netherlands. His loose and sketchy style conveys the fleeting nature of modern urban experience. Note the women's fashionable attire which reflects the growing consumer culture of the late 19th century. This sketch invites questions about the role of women in public spaces at the time. Were they simply consumers, or active participants in the social and political life of the city? Were they middle class or working class? By consulting historical documents, such as fashion magazines, newspapers, and social surveys, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social context in which Israels created this work. Art history shows us that the meaning of art changes over time. It is dependent on social and institutional context.