Isaac Israels 1865-1934

Acquired by the grandfather of the present owners, thence by descent 

A. Wagner, Isaac Israels, Venlo 1985, illustrated in colour on p. 73

Original canvas. This work would benefit from cleaning but is otherwise in excellent condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

From his earliest youth, Israels cherished French art and culture. Together with his parents he visited Paris frequently and spoke the language fluently. After he was granted permission to work inside the famous fashion houses Decrol and Paquin, Israels left for Paris in 1903 and stayed there till 1913, becoming thoroughly Francophile.
 
The ten years stay in Paris is generally regarded as Isaac Israels' most creative period. He rented a studio on the Boulevard de Clichy and found his subjects in the nearby fashion houses, the Bois de Boulogne, Place Vendôme and the dance halls in Montmartre. The fashionable city life suited Israels' energetic, exuberant style of painting perfectly.

Ever since his move to Amsterdam in 1886, the pulsing life in the streets became an important aspect of Israels' urban impressionism. During his stay in Paris this culminated in beautiful street scenes, very often seen from a high vantage point. These street scenes are a great example of his ability to seize the momentary. Gifted with a unique power of observation, Isaac Israels captured streetlife in freely applied, vigorous strokes, stressing the dynamism of the moment. 

Isaac Israels' street scenes are very much in tune with French Impressionism, especially contemporaries like Gustave Caillebotte (1848-1898) and Albert Marquet (1875-1947). It is therefore a tempting thought that he was familiar with Marquet's views of Paris (see illustration 1).

According to Anna Wagner the location of the present lot can be identified as the Rue Castiglione in Paris. Isaac stayed there in the Hotel Intercontinental, where he also painted several scenes of ladies on a balcony (see for this A. Wagner, Isaac Israels, Rotterdam 1967, illustration 67).

The panoramic view with the high vantage view - offering great artistic challenges - was used more often by Israels, like his view of the Rue Clignancourt, sold in these rooms on 18 October 2005, lot 220 (see illustration 2).

Anna Wagner dates the present lot around 1904, in the early years of Isaac israels' Paris stay.  

We kindly thank Mrs. W. de Vlieger-Moll for helping to catalogue this lot.