Isaac Israels

Sale Amsterdam (Frederik Muller), 1961
Sale Amsterdam (Sotheby's), 4 November 1985, lot 255, illustrated
Sale Laren (Loth Gijselman), 14-16 November 1989
Private collection, The Netherlands

Original canvas This work is in fine 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."

Of all Dutch impressionists Isaac Israels was the one who came closest to the French variety, at a time when this style in its essence had come to belong to the past. Like his father Jozef, he was predominantly a painter of people, which he observed in the streets,  café's and dance halls, but most certainly also in the theatre. 

In the twenties and early thirties, the shows in the Scala theatre in The Hague became an important source of inspiration for Isaac Israels. Dolf Welling refers to this in his book on the artist (published 1991), writing: 'In The Hague of the 1920's a small gentleman with a grey moustache and a pointed beard could frequently be seen entering the Scala Vaudeville theatre with some canvasses under his arm. Isaac Israels was a familiar figure over there. At times he sketched immediately onto the canvas, either in the spacious fitting rooms or sitting in the wings'. 

Israels got permission to work inside the Scala theatre through his friend, the composer and art critic Alexander Voormolen. He could often be found in the dressing rooms, the foyer and back stage, where he portrayed famous people like Josephine Baker, Buziau, as well as the revue girls of the Bouwmeester-revue. 'He never got enough of the Scala world', Anna Wagner writes in her book on Isaac Israels (published in 1967). 

The present lot depicts a colourful stage scene in the Scala theatre, executed in freely applied, vigorous strokes and fresh, radiant colours. It most probably portrays Fien de la Mar in the famous Bouwmeester-revue, whose colourful shows Israels depicted several times. He painted the present lot in the late 1920's or early 1930's.

The present lot can be compared to a painting of the same subject, showing three revue girls, illustrated in A. Wagner, Isaac Israels, Venlo 1985, illustration 191 on p. 148.