A busy morning on a canal bridge, Amsterdam

When Israels moved to Amsterdam in 1887 he was readily accepted into the vibrant and artistic atmosphere of the Tachtigers movement. Exploring city life, Israels took his sketchbook into bars and dance halls. He looked for a way to express the immense amount of impressions he had absorbed in the city. He could be found with his sketch book on street corners and bridges. In October 1894 he placed an easel on the bridge of the Herengracht near the Leidsegracht. His subject was a conversation between three servant-girls, which he painted in loose and vibrant brushstrokes (in: Anna Wagner, Isaac Israels 1865-1934, The Hague 1980). From that day on Israels rendered city life to canvas with an energetic and dynamic touch, driven by city life. He frequently choose canelscenes with figures as his subject matter.

The present lot is a fine example of the artist's Amsterdam period. It has been suggested that the present lot depicts the before mentioned corner of the Herengracht bridge near the Leidsegracht. Although a typical Amsterdam canal, the background is comparable to a titled work executed in 1894. (A. Wagner, Isaac Israels, Rotterdam, 1967, no. 56, ill.). Although Israels painted regularly en plein air, we may assume he made this huge canvas in his own studio with sketches he had made on location.

We wish to thank Mr J. van Roosmalen for kindly confirming the authenticity and year of execution of the present lot on firsthand inspection.