Isaac Israels (1865-1934)

Dancing and drumming Ashanti

signed 'Isaac Israels.' (lower right)
Executed circa 1894.

pastel and charcoal on paper, 32x25 cm

Exhibited:
-Amsterdam, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam (13 December 1958-20 January 1959)/The Hague, Gemeentemuseum 's-Gravenhage (29 January-14 March 1959)/Eindhoven, Stedelijk Van Abbemuseum (21 March-30 April 1959), 'Isaac Israels', no. 61, as: 'Dansende Ashanti', where dated circa 1894.

Provenance:
-Collection Mr. Coenraad Frederik van Veen, Houten, 1959.
-By descent from the above to Greta Johanna van Veen-Beerepoot, 1982, until 2011.
-Auction, Christie's, Amsterdam, 4 September 2012, lot 222, where acquired by the present owner.

In 1898 a group of so-called Ashanti dancers performed in Amsterdam in the year of the coronation of Wilhelmina. The Kingdom of the Ashanti, now part of Ghana, has been renowed in Western Europe for its gold and the trading of gold since the 15th century. Isaac Israels made various works of these dancers, and was mainly interested in visualizing both the rhythm and colours of these tribal exotic people from Africa. The paintings and drawings Israels made of the Ashanti dancers are based on his many sketches. Except for dancers, he also gave extra attention to the drummers. Sometimes seen in action, but also at rest. One such drummer can be seen on the pastel now up for auction. Another pastel by Israels of Ashanti dancers, dated 1898, is in the collection of the Rijksprentenkabinet in Amsterdam.

Source: -Anna Wagner, ‘Isaac Israels’, Venlo 1985, p. 56. -Esther Schreuder, ‘Isaac Israels: hij houdt van razende beweging’, article May 22, 2014.