Dinner in a Pension in Pontresina, Switzerland

Isaac Israels travelled in Europe extensively throughout his life. In the first decades of the 20th Century he would often visit Southern France and Italy and spent some time in Switzerland. Having lived in Paris for almost ten years, from 1903 to 1913, Israels moved to London in 1913. He found a studio at 6 Fitzroy Street and stayed at Morley's Hotel on Trafalgar Square. Although he was not as happy in London as he had been in Paris, he found numerous subjects in Hyde Park, along Rotten Row and the Thames, and in the West End. Nevertheless, when war broke out, he decided to move back to Holland as he was no longer allowed to paint outside by the British authorities.

As he was a non-resident, Israels was not permitted to stay in Holland for a long period of time and he decided to travel, despite the war. In May and June of 1915 he visited Switzerland and stayed in Bern, Fribourg, St Moritz and Pontresina. Seeking out colourful subjects in Pontresina and St Moritz, this picture is a charming view of a typical conservatory in a Swiss hotel. It was painted in Pontresina and clearly shows Israels's interest in the mountain ranges that surrounded him.

Pontresina is located in the highest-altitude valley that branches off the Upper Engadine. It is known to be a very sunny place as it lies on a slope opening towards the southwest which is protected from the wind. It is not surprising then that Israels chose to engage with this beautiful environment and set up his easel here. He would return to Pontresina in 1923.