Isabel Bishop Early Sketchbook c. 1928 - 1936

This is a page from an early sketchbook by Isabel Bishop, an American artist born in 1902. During a time when women artists were often marginalized, Bishop carved out a space for herself by portraying the everyday lives of working women in New York City. Bishop's sketches provide a glimpse into her artistic process and her profound engagement with the human figure. In her work, Bishop focuses on the lives of working-class women during the Depression era. With these sketches, she captured their movements, gestures, and moments of quiet contemplation. Bishop wasn't simply documenting lives, but highlighting the resilience and humanity of women navigating a rapidly changing urban landscape. Bishop once stated that she wanted to "get into art the vulgarity and movement of life,". Her images transcend mere representation and invite viewers to reflect on the experiences of women whose stories are often overlooked.