Isaac Israels (1865-1934)

It was in during the spring of 1913 when Isaac Israels moved to London. Following his Parisian period painting alongside French impressionists, Israels brought his fascination for light and colour which he developed during the Belle Époque to the new cosmopolitan environment of London. He swapped bustling French streets and the Moulin de la Galette (see lot 16) for London’s West End, depicting Piccadilly Circus and Regent Street. He quickly took to his new environment. Admired by his close friends for his unequalled energy, Israels had a childish pleasure in driving around London in a double decker bus and observing his subject-matter from a high view-point. On one occasion, a shop keeper even gave the artist the possibility to make use of his balcony.

Similarly, with a move of city, Israels exchanged the Seine for the Thames. He would escape from his studio in Fitzroy Street to the quitter passages of the Thames such as Richmond (see: fig. 1 and fig. 2). Here he depicts a relaxed model navigating a boat through the gentler currents of the river. The artist’s light palette is expressed in the model’s white dress, light blue ribbon and pink hat, while her expression shows a relaxed, steady concentration as she steers the boat through the current. The light flowing brushstrokes display an almost water-like quality and assist in creating the impression of a calm but steady movement.