Revue girls in the Scala Theatre, The Hague

Isaac Israels was greatly inspired by the revues he saw in the Scala Theatre in The Hague in the 1920s and 30s. Via his friend Alexander Voormolen (1895-1980), a Dutch composer, he got the permission to work behind the scenes. In the changing rooms he had the opportunity to portray showgirls and dancers immediately before, during and after their performances. The shows were not his main interest, as Arie Mout (1900-1978), a friend of the painter, makes clear in his writings: 'het gekke was dat Isaac Israels totaal geen begrip had voor de kwaliteit of de inhoud van de voorstelling. Als de hele zaal plat lag van plezier, bleef hij onverstoorbaar doortekenen. Wat hem interesseerde was de mens die er stond en zijn picturale mogelijkheden meer dan wat die mens aan het doen was' (see: Willemien de Vlieger-Moll, Isaac Israels in Den Haag, The Hague, 2012, p. 97). He could spend entire nights sketching, sometimes the day after a performance he asked the actresses to pose for him. Every detail was captured with intense passion: fast observation transmitted on the canvas with extreme dynamics and spontaneity.

In 1922 Louis Bouwmeester jr (1884-1931) brought 'de Bouwmeester Revue' on scene, a funny and spontaneous Revue which became very popular in The Hague. It was known for its spectacular and colourful costumes and decor. The dress that the performer, believed to be Dutch actress Fien de la Mar (1989-1965), is wearing in the present lot, or the plumed hat and short skirt of the figure in the background, gives an impression of how powerful and endearing the presence of the actors must have been: a true expression of joy and modernity. No wonder that this became a great source of inspiration for several paintings and sketches during this period.