Isaac Israels’ Europe
24 april 2026 - 30 augustus 2026
The exhibition Isaac Israels' Europe takes you on a journey across Europe together with Isaac Israels. The Dutch artist travelled for almost his entire life, even during the First World War. He records the impressions he gathers in paintings and drawings, ranging from European street and beach life to the situation of migrants at that time.
Through Europe by train
The life of Isaac Israels (1865–1934) is defined by art, literature and travel. In 1877, at the age of 13, he makes his first tour of Europe by train together with his parents and sister. This arouses the wanderlust of the naturally restless Israels.
His love for and astonishing knowledge of European literature leads him to learn several languages. He stays only briefly in most places, such as Germany, Italy, Austria, Spain, Denmark and Sweden.
Even during wartime
He rents accommodation with a studio and remains longer in Paris (1904–1913) and London (1913–1915). Even during the First World War, he continues to travel with a laissez-passer, a temporary travel document. This astonishes his friends, who wonder if he realises there is a war on. Travelling remains a passion until his death and is reflected in his art.
Vibrant impressions
Israels captures the impressions he gathers with great speed in sketchbooks and on paper. He elaborates these into vibrant impressions on canvas. The topics in the exhibition include Israels’ knowledge of European literature and travelling and migrating through Europe in the first half of the 20th century. The status of the migrant during that turbulent period is also addressed, especially in wartime.
The museum’s collection and important loans
Helene Kröller-Müller and her advisor Henk Bremmer admire Israels for his keen observation and his technique. He captures the essence of his chosen subject a short space of time. Our collection includes many works by Israels; 23 paintings and almost 300 drawings. The exhibition brings together a selection of these works with important loans from other museums and private collections. It includes paintings and a works on paper: watercolours, pastels, chalk drawings and many sketchbooks.
Isaac Israels, Berner kellnerin, 1915
Giveaway: create your own cultural journey in Europe
Isaac Israels traveled across Europe, drawing inspiration from Scandinavia to Southern Europe. Several of the works featured in the exhibition were created during these journeys. Visit the exhibition for a chance to win an amazing trip to a European destination. At the exit of the exhibition, you can sign up for this giveaway.
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Read the book
In the accompanying book, Israels’ love of travel and that of his contemporaries, his interest in different European cultures, and the meaning of ‘Europe’ in the early twentieth century are explored.
