Israëls’ son, 2 who has been living in Paris for a while, Veth, a Dutchman who does portraits and who writes in De Nieuwe Gids, that journal you’ve perhaps heard about that makes people so indignant 3 but in which good things often appear, and then Van Rijsselberghe, one of the Vingtistes from Brussels, 4 the latter also saw everything there is at Tanguy’s, and your works seem to interest him a great deal. I’ve had several people to see your paintings. I hope that you’reġr:2 still well and that you have good luck with work.

Ask him then, if you will, to tell me if anything is owing to him each time he acknowledges receipt of my monthly letter, then it doesn’t mount up.

I had said in my letters to Mr Peyron that he ought to tell me if he’d had additional expenses, he has never spoken of them. After the death of both his parents, he returned to The Hague, settling in his father’s studio where he worked until he died in 1934.Enclosed you’ll find 150 francs – for Mr Peyron 1 and for your journey to Arles. As a young painter the exotic atmosphere already fascinated Isaac.

In 1921 he undertook a long-coveted journey to the Dutch East Indies. Isaac travelled widely often together with his father: Paris, London, Italy, crossing Switzerland and Germany. When he restarted his work, it was with renewed energy that speaks for itself when looking at his extensive work. Always doubting his talent, Isaac then stopped painting for nearly seven years. By endless drawing and sketching in the city both artists, captured the movement, the dynamics of everyday life. To convey the sense of a snapshot, they cropped their subjects abruptly. Both were fascinated by the idea of portraying city life by capturing a passing moment in time. In Amsterdam, Israels spent much time with George Hendrik Breitner. Israels often spent the summer months with his father in Scheveningen, where he painted seaside scenes in bright colours. In 1886, Israels enrolled at Amsterdam’s Art Academy, where he was considered ‘too good’. In 1881, he began a painting that was purchased before it was completed by Hendrik Willem Mesdag. At thirteen, he entered art school in The Hague, where his prodigious talent was soon noticed. Jozef Israëls’s son, Isaac Israels (1865–1934) was raised on a diet of painting and travel.

Isaac Israels by de Bodt