Asleep in the synagogue, Amsterdam

Meijer de Haan was born into a successful Jewish family of biscuit manufacturers in Amsterdam. Educated by P.F. Greive (1811-1872), his early work from his Amsterdam period includes many depictions of Jewish genre scenes, clearly influenced by his roots. These works, including the present lot, stand in sharp contrast to his later artistic style, which changed dramatically in terms of style, light and palette when in 1888 he travelled to France, where he became close friends with Theo van Gogh, Vincent van Gogh's brother. His later work shows clear resemblance to the post-impressionist movement, and contemporaries like Paul Gauguin (1848-1903), Émile Bernard (1868-1941) and Paul Sérusier (1864-1927).