Seamstresses at Atelier Paquin, Paris

The present pastel was painted in Paris around 1904, the year in which the artist had moved to the French capital. Having been introduced to the leading fashion houses in Paris by the Dutch firm Hirsch, Israels was given the opportunity to sketch and paint amongst the seamstresses of Décroll on the Place de l'Opéra and Paquin in the Rue de la Paix. Israels first settled in the conveniently located Hotel Le Peletier in the rue de Petit Champs. It was close to the Atelier Paquin and to Galerie Durand Ruel which also sold artist's materials. Israels here shows his captivation with the dynamism of Parisian city life, evident in the number of his lively works from this period. In de picture, a large number of young seamstresses with rustling hands working with luxurious fabrics, provide splendid colour accents.