Vrouwenhoofden 1875 - 1934

This is a drawing of women’s heads by Isaac Israels, housed here at the Rijksmuseum. In this sketch, we see two depictions of women: one whose face is the focal point, and another in the periphery, rendered with a rose. The rose has a long lineage as a symbol. Think of its presence in ancient Rome, linked to Venus, the goddess of love. Now consider how, through the Middle Ages, the rose became heavily associated with the Virgin Mary. In this context, roses, appearing alongside a woman, are a motif that carries connotations of beauty, love, and purity. But Israels brings this motif into a modern context, stripping away its overt religious meaning. The rose here engages our emotions on a subconscious level, evoking a sense of beauty and ephemerality. Its presence is a powerful, subtle reminder of the enduring themes of love and beauty that resonate across time.