The mannequins Ippy and Gertie at Hirsch, Amsterdam, c.1915-17 (oil on canvas)

Hirsch opened its doors on the Leidseplein in 1881 and by the turn of the century it was one of the leading fashion establishments in the Netherlands. Isaac was given the privilege to work within the domain of high fashion in Amsterdam. After his stay in Paris until 1913, Isaac returned to Amsterdam. At Hirsch's Thé Dansant's, its fashion shows, he fell under the spell of the twin sisters Helena (1895-1964) and Geertruida Wehmann (1895-1975), two of the leading mannequins at Hirsch (figs. 2,3). The present lot is an exceptional example of the twin sisters posing in haute couture creations of maison Hirsch & Co. The girls modelled for Hirsch in the period between 1916 and 1918 and frequently appeared in articles and newsfeeds on the fashion house. As their fame and fortune grew, they came to be known by their synonyms and professional artist names Ippy and Gertie. They became his most beloved mannequins. In these years, he painted Ippy and Gertie various times, often together, of which the present lot is an beautiful example.