Isaac Israëls

Key facts

Lived

1865–1934, Dutch

Movements

• Impressionism
• Realism

1. 1882Painted "Portrait Of The Wounded KNIL soldier Kees Pop" aged 17.
2. 1894Painted "Factory girls on the Prinsengracht in Amsterdam" aged 29.
3. 1904Painted "Man with three girls on a bench in the Oosterpark in Amsterdam" aged 39.
4. 1909Painted "The Kalverstraat, Celebrating the Birth of Princess Juliana of the Netherlands, 1 May 1909" aged 44.
5. 1917Painted "The Mannequins Ippy and Gertie at Hirsch, Amsterdam" aged 52.
6. 1921Painted "Gamelan Orchestra in Bali, Jakarta Or Solo" aged 56.

• What is Isaac Israëls known for?+

  Isaac Israëls is known for his paintings of streets, cafes, cabarets, and the buzz of urban life. He also painted in India and Bali.
• What is Isaac Israëls's most famous work?+

  Isaac Israëls was a Dutch painter, known for his depictions of urban life and portraits. Determining his single "most famous work" is subjective, as different paintings hold significance for different reasons. However, several paintings are frequently cited and reproduced. "Riding School" (circa 1902) is a popular example of his interest in equestrian subjects and capturing movement. His paintings of women in fashionable clothing, like "Two Girls in the Snow" (1916), are also well known. Israëls spent considerable time in Amsterdam and Paris, documenting the world around him. His paintings of dancers, circus performers, and scenes from daily life offer insights into the culture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These works, while not necessarily his "most famous", contribute to his overall recognition. Ultimately, the perception of Israëls's most famous work depends on individual taste and the specific context in which his art is being discussed.
• What style or movement did Isaac Israëls belong to?+

  Isaac Israëls is associated with the artistic movement of Realism, which emerged as a reaction against Romanticism and Academic art. The Realists sought to depict the world truthfully and objectively, without emotional embellishment or idealisation. The rise of Realism coincided with the invention of photography in 1839, which prompted debates about the nature and purpose of painting. Many artists felt that Neoclassicism and Romanticism had become outdated and contrived. Realists believed that ordinary people and their everyday activities were worthy subjects for art. They rejected the artificiality and materialism of society, as well as academic rules and artistic traditions. Realism manifested itself in various ways, in different places and at different times. In France, from about 1800 to 1899, Realist artists painted modern life objectively, without personal bias. Other groups, such as the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in England, also pursued "truth to nature" in their art, focusing on accurate details and colour.
• What was Isaac Israëls known for?+

  Isaac Israëls (1865-1934) was a Dutch painter associated with the Amsterdam Impressionism movement. He is known for his paintings of urban life, portraits, and depictions of the fashion world. Israëls received his early training from his father, Jozef Israëls, a member of The Hague School. He later studied at the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague. His early work displays the influence of The Hague School, with its emphasis on muted colours and realistic depictions of peasant life. However, Israëls soon developed his own style, influenced by French Impressionism. He moved to Amsterdam in 1886, where he captured the city's bustling streets, cafes, and entertainment venues. He had a particular interest in portraying working-class people and the fashion industry. He spent time in artists' circles, including those of Breitner and Van Gogh. Later in his career, Israëls travelled extensively, living in Paris and London. In Paris, he painted scenes of Parisian society and the theatre. In London, he focused on scenes of Hyde Park and circuses. These later works show a continued interest in capturing the energy and movement of modern life.
• When did Isaac Israëls live and work?+

  Isaac Israëls was born in Amsterdam on 3 February 1865. He came from an artistic family; his father, Jozef Israëls, was also a well-regarded painter. Israëls spent much of his working life in The Hague, where he moved with his family in 1870. He studied at the Royal Academy of Art there. Later, he also studied in Amsterdam. In the 1880s, Israëls became associated with the Amsterdam Impressionism movement. He depicted scenes of city life, portraits, and nudes. He had a studio in Amsterdam, but travelled extensively. Israëls lived and worked in Paris from 1904 until the outbreak of the First World War. While there, he continued to paint urban subjects, such as scenes in cafés and theatres. He also spent time in London, where he painted scenes of Hyde Park. He returned to The Hague during the war. He continued to work, painting portraits and scenes of modern life, until his death in 1934. Israëls died in The Hague on 22 August.
• Where can I see Isaac Israëls's work?+

  Isaac Israëls's works can be found in various collections. These include the Rijksmuseum and the Vincent van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, and the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo. Other museums that hold pieces by Israëls are the Museum Boymans-van Beuningen in Rotterdam; the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg; and the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh. These institutions house a range of his paintings and other works. Many important museums worldwide contain Dutch paintings, so checking their online catalogues may turn up further works by Israëls. These include the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York; the Musée du Louvre in Paris; the National Gallery in London; and the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
• Who did Isaac Israëls influence?+

  Isaac Israëls's father Jozef Israëls, also a painter, influenced Vincent van Gogh. Jozef's motifs of old age and death, such as in *When One Grows Old* (1878), impressed van Gogh. Lone, hunched figures in works by Israëls, van Gogh, Liebermann, Hans von Bartels, and George Paul Chalmers evoke the dejected figures of Rembrandt. Israëls's *Self-portrait*, painted when he was eighty-four, shows a personal approach to Rembrandt's style and chiaroscuro. It evokes the intimate emotiveness of Rembrandt's self-image. Israëls's *David Playing before Saul* is in the background; it constitutes an artistic dialogue with Rembrandt's biblical scene regarding colour, light, and composition. Jozef Israëls, Maurycy Gottlieb in *Ahasverus*, and Emil Nolde in *David and Saul* placed all the elegance of the ages against Rembrandt's deep sadness.
• Who influenced Isaac Israëls?+

  Isaac Israëls, a Dutch painter, had several artistic influences. George Hendrik Breitner, a friend and contemporary, was an important figure. Both artists shared an interest in depicting urban life and working-class subjects. Israëls was also influenced by the Hague School, a group of Dutch artists who emphasised realism and atmospheric effects. Although he moved away from their style later in his career, its principles shaped his early work. French Impressionism also played a role in Israëls' development. He admired artists such as Edgar Degas and Édouard Manet; their influence is visible in his use of light, colour, and his focus on modern life. Israëls lived and worked in Paris for a time, absorbing the artistic atmosphere. He developed a looser, more painterly style. This shift is evident in his depictions of Parisian society, such as café scenes and portraits. These works show a move towards capturing fleeting moments and impressions, characteristic of the Impressionist aesthetic.
• Who was Isaac Israëls?+

  Isaac Israëls (1865-1934) was a Dutch painter associated with the Amsterdam Impressionism movement. Born in Amsterdam, he was the son of Jozef Israëls, a prominent member of the Hague School. Israëls received his early training from his father. He then studied at the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague. His early work displays the influence of the Hague School, with its emphasis on muted colours and realistic depictions of peasant life. However, Israëls soon developed his own style, moving towards a more impressionistic approach. He was interested in capturing the fleeting moments of modern urban life. He moved to Amsterdam in 1886, where he befriended artists such as George Hendrik Breitner. Israëls painted scenes of the city, including its bustling streets, cafes, and theatres. He also spent time in Paris and London, finding inspiration in the urban environments of those cities. Israëls is known for his paintings of fashionable women, dancers, and scenes from the world of entertainment. His work is characterised by its loose brushwork, bright colours, and sense of immediacy. He died in The Hague in 1934.
• What was Isaac Israëls's art style?+

  Isaac Israëls painted with a fluent, Impressionist touch.
• When was Isaac Israëls born?+

  Isaac Israëls was born in 1865 in the Netherlands. Isaac Israëls died in 1934, aged 69.
• How did Isaac Israëls die?+

  Isaac Israëls died in 1934 at the age of 69.