Auction 80 - Part II - Art from the Collection of Rami Cohen
Jan Rauchwerger (b. 1942), Reflection, 1975.
Pastel on paper. Signed and dated.
48X57 cm. Good condition. Minor blemishes to edges. Framed.
Jan Rauchwerger (b. 1942), native of Baýramaly, Turkmenistan, to where his parents had escaped during World War II. Following the war, the family returned to Kiev, Ukraine. Received early training in art at the Painting Department of the high school associated with the Kiev Academy of Arts. Continued his studies at the Faculty of Applied Graphic Arts at the Moscow Polygraphic Institute. From 1965 to 1973, studied under the artist Vladimir Weisberg. Immigrated to Israel in 1973. A few months after arriving in Israel, began teaching art at the Avni Institute in Tel Aviv, and, in the 1908s, taught in addition at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem. Presented his works in dozens of exhibitions at museums and galleries in Israel and around the world, and was awarded distinguished prizes for his art.
"Jan Rauchwerger's passion for painting endows almost everything in his immediate surroundings with the ‘right’ to be a subject. This includes family members as well as still-life objects, landscapes, figures, models … It might seem as if his list of subjects reiterates the standard curriculum of any art school. But once in the care of Rauchwerger's paintbrush, these subjects become part of a special relationship infused with intimacy and closeness. The Oxford Dictionary defines ‘intimate’ as ‘inmost, most inward, deep-seated’ and also as ‘close in acquaintance and association.’ Roget’s Thesaurus connects the word ‘intimacy’ with ‘privacy, ’ ‘interior, ’ and ‘sentiment.’ The way in which Rauchwerger looks at the content of a house, along with the people in it, creates just this kind of closeness and defines a type of painting that is constantly nourished by a warm, direct emotional attachment to the flow and stream of the present. The artist stands facing the living reality at any given moment, gathering the world into his own intimate space…”
From Tali Tamir, "In Praise of Intimacy: Jan Rauchwerger and Israeli Culture, " in: Ruth Apter-Gabriel (curator and ed.), "Shades of Feeling: Jan Rauchwerger, Works from 1979 to 2003," exhibition catalogue, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 2004 (Hebrew and English).
Provenance: The Rami Cohen Collection.
Art collector Rami Cohen (1941-2018), native of Poland, immigrated to Israel with his family in 1948. Educated in Moshav Nahalal, he began painting already in his youth. Served as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces' standing army, and was decorated for the act of evacuating wounded soldiers under fire. Cohen was injured his right hand in the course of his army service, the injury leaving him disabled and unable to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. Nevertheless, he never lost his love for art, and the adversity he experienced simply led him to change direction from artist to art collector, and to devote much of his strength and wealth toward assembling his collection, leading him to become a passionately involved participant and a dominant influence in a number of different artistic circles. He organized and curated various art exhibitions, including, for example, "Nation Builds Land: Israeli History as Mirrored through Art" (1988) at the Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art. His collection includes portraits by Yehezkel Streichman and Menashe Kadishman who personally presented them to him as gifts, as a token of their friendship. He similarly established close friendships with many other artists. Ensuring that Israeli art command the respect it deserved was high among his lifelong list of priorities, as was the challenge of enabling artists to thrive and prosper; to that end, he lent his personal assistance to artists seeking to advance their professional careers. He took a special interest in artists such as Michail Grobman, Shmuel Ackerman, and others arriving in Israel from the former Soviet Union, and helped bring them into the public spotlight. Initiated and edited the online database entitled "Omanut Israel" (or "Art 23,") which included articles and media reviews in addition to a great deal of professional material relating to the Israeli art scene, being utilized by professional and government bodies. His collection is multi-faceted and richly diverse, consisting of artworks by both Israeli and non-Israeli artists, representing a broad spectrum of artistic styles, schools, and trends – a collection that reflects significant and fascinating developments in the field of Israeli art over a period of several decades, all from the point of view of a true lover of art.
Shaul Schatz (b. 1944), Figure. [1968].
Oil on canvas. Unsigned. Titled and dated on back by Michail Grobman (handwritten note).
95X73 cm. Good condition. Minor blemishes and cracks to paint.
Provenance:
1. The Michail Grobman Collection.
2. The Rami Cohen Collection.
Art collector Rami Cohen (1941-2018), native of Poland, immigrated to Israel with his family in 1948. Educated in Moshav Nahalal, he began painting already in his youth. Served as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces' standing army, and was decorated for the act of evacuating wounded soldiers under fire. Cohen was injured his right hand in the course of his army service, the injury leaving him disabled and unable to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. Nevertheless, he never lost his love for art, and the adversity he experienced simply led him to change direction from artist to art collector, and to devote much of his strength and wealth toward assembling his collection, leading him to become a passionately involved participant and a dominant influence in a number of different artistic circles. He organized and curated various art exhibitions, including, for example, "Nation Builds Land: Israeli History as Mirrored through Art" (1988) at the Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art. His collection includes portraits by Yehezkel Streichman and Menashe Kadishman who personally presented them to him as gifts, as a token of their friendship. He similarly established close friendships with many other artists. Ensuring that Israeli art command the respect it deserved was high among his lifelong list of priorities, as was the challenge of enabling artists to thrive and prosper; to that end, he lent his personal assistance to artists seeking to advance their professional careers. He took a special interest in artists such as Michail Grobman, Shmuel Ackerman, and others arriving in Israel from the former Soviet Union, and helped bring them into the public spotlight. Initiated and edited the online database entitled "Omanut Israel" (or "Art 23,") which included articles and media reviews in addition to a great deal of professional material relating to the Israeli art scene, being utilized by professional and government bodies. His collection is multi-faceted and richly diverse, consisting of artworks by both Israeli and non-Israeli artists, representing a broad spectrum of artistic styles, schools, and trends – a collection that reflects significant and fascinating developments in the field of Israeli art over a period of several decades, all from the point of view of a true lover of art.
Fima (Efraim Roeytenberg; 1916-2005), Interior / Portrait.
Oil pastel on paper. Signed.
19X18 cm, matted and framed. Good condition.
Fima (Efraim Roeytenberg; 1916-2005), born in Harbin, China. Studied painting, calligraphy, and architecture in Shanghai, where he lived in the 1940s, eventually finding work as a designer and painter of theater sets. Immigrated to Palestine in 1947 and settled in Jerusalem, where his first employment was as a sign painter. Subsequently worked as a Department of Labor inspector overseeing construction sites of housing projects. Left Israel after a number of years and settled in Paris, returning to Israel again only in 2002. His artwork is closely connected to the natural world, and represents a blend of Chinese calligraphy with European traditions of abstract painting. "[…] abstract and figurative art of the most delicate form, coexisting side-by-side and speaking to the viewer laconically, through hints and riddles […] Fima's work creates a dramatic – occasionally even tragic, but always poetic – reflection of his life. The various influences have been blended in his work, and the result of this integration is lightness; rich, delicate and restrained color; halting joy diluted with a trace of silent grief…" (Dr. Haim Gamzu, “Art Criticism, ” 2006 [Hebrew], p. 320).
Provenance: The Rami Cohen Collection.
Art collector Rami Cohen (1941-2018), native of Poland, immigrated to Israel with his family in 1948. Educated in Moshav Nahalal, he began painting already in his youth. Served as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces' standing army, and was decorated for the act of evacuating wounded soldiers under fire. Cohen was injured his right hand in the course of his army service, the injury leaving him disabled and unable to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. Nevertheless, he never lost his love for art, and the adversity he experienced simply led him to change direction from artist to art collector, and to devote much of his strength and wealth toward assembling his collection, leading him to become a passionately involved participant and a dominant influence in a number of different artistic circles. He organized and curated various art exhibitions, including, for example, "Nation Builds Land: Israeli History as Mirrored through Art" (1988) at the Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art. His collection includes portraits by Yehezkel Streichman and Menashe Kadishman who personally presented them to him as gifts, as a token of their friendship. He similarly established close friendships with many other artists. Ensuring that Israeli art command the respect it deserved was high among his lifelong list of priorities, as was the challenge of enabling artists to thrive and prosper; to that end, he lent his personal assistance to artists seeking to advance their professional careers. He took a special interest in artists such as Michail Grobman, Shmuel Ackerman, and others arriving in Israel from the former Soviet Union, and helped bring them into the public spotlight. Initiated and edited the online database entitled "Omanut Israel" (or "Art 23,") which included articles and media reviews in addition to a great deal of professional material relating to the Israeli art scene, being utilized by professional and government bodies. His collection is multi-faceted and richly diverse, consisting of artworks by both Israeli and non-Israeli artists, representing a broad spectrum of artistic styles, schools, and trends – a collection that reflects significant and fascinating developments in the field of Israeli art over a period of several decades, all from the point of view of a true lover of art.
Fima (Efraim Roeytenberg; 1916-2005), Grobman (portrait of Michail Grobman).
Oil pastel on paper. Signed and titled.
25X35 cm, mounted on cardboard and framed. Good condition.
Fima (Efraim Roeytenberg; 1916-2005), born in Harbin, China. Studied painting, calligraphy, and architecture in Shanghai, where he lived in the 1940s, eventually finding work as a designer and painter of theater sets. Immigrated to Palestine in 1947 and settled in Jerusalem, where his first employment was as a sign painter. Subsequently worked as a Department of Labor inspector overseeing construction sites of housing projects. Left Israel after a number of years and settled in Paris, returning to Israel again only in 2002. His artwork is closely connected to the natural world, and represents a blend of Chinese calligraphy with European traditions of abstract painting. "[…] abstract and figurative art of the most delicate form, coexisting side-by-side and speaking to the viewer laconically, through hints and riddles […] Fima's work creates a dramatic – occasionally even tragic, but always poetic – reflection of his life. The various influences have been blended in his work, and the result of this integration is lightness; rich, delicate and restrained color; halting joy diluted with a trace of silent grief…" (Dr. Haim Gamzu, “Art Criticism, ” 2006 [Hebrew], p. 320).
Provenance: The Rami Cohen Collection.
Art collector Rami Cohen (1941-2018), native of Poland, immigrated to Israel with his family in 1948. Educated in Moshav Nahalal, he began painting already in his youth. Served as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces' standing army, and was decorated for the act of evacuating wounded soldiers under fire. Cohen was injured his right hand in the course of his army service, the injury leaving him disabled and unable to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. Nevertheless, he never lost his love for art, and the adversity he experienced simply led him to change direction from artist to art collector, and to devote much of his strength and wealth toward assembling his collection, leading him to become a passionately involved participant and a dominant influence in a number of different artistic circles. He organized and curated various art exhibitions, including, for example, "Nation Builds Land: Israeli History as Mirrored through Art" (1988) at the Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art. His collection includes portraits by Yehezkel Streichman and Menashe Kadishman who personally presented them to him as gifts, as a token of their friendship. He similarly established close friendships with many other artists. Ensuring that Israeli art command the respect it deserved was high among his lifelong list of priorities, as was the challenge of enabling artists to thrive and prosper; to that end, he lent his personal assistance to artists seeking to advance their professional careers. He took a special interest in artists such as Michail Grobman, Shmuel Ackerman, and others arriving in Israel from the former Soviet Union, and helped bring them into the public spotlight. Initiated and edited the online database entitled "Omanut Israel" (or "Art 23,") which included articles and media reviews in addition to a great deal of professional material relating to the Israeli art scene, being utilized by professional and government bodies. His collection is multi-faceted and richly diverse, consisting of artworks by both Israeli and non-Israeli artists, representing a broad spectrum of artistic styles, schools, and trends – a collection that reflects significant and fascinating developments in the field of Israeli art over a period of several decades, all from the point of view of a true lover of art.
Michail Grobman (b. 1939), Day of Judgement. Jerusalem, 1973. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated. Titled on back.
54X65 cm. Fair-good condition. Losses to paint and minor tears to canvas. Fractures and blemishes to frame.
Michail Grobman (b. 1939), Russian-Israeli painter and poet, native of Moscow. Among the founders of the Second Russian Avant-Garde – a title he himself coined – in the Soviet Union in the 1960s. Immigrated to Israel in 1971. Established the Leviathan Group in 1975 in collaboration with Avraham Ofek and Samuel Ackerman. The style of the group represented a blend of contemporary art, Jewish themes, symbolism, and metaphysics. In the manifesto entitled "The Leviathan Declaration, " publicized in 1976, Grobman set forth the group's goals: "Our joint appearance is an incipient attempt to create an inclusive national style that befits the spirit of the building of the New Israel […], our political basis [is] Zionism. Our spiritual basis – Jewish mysticism. Three foundations define our artistic stance: 1. Primitivism 2. Symbol 3. Letter."
In an interview with the children's weekly magazine "Davar Liyeladim" in 1981, Grobman had this to say about his work: “Nothing I do pertains to the realm of psychology, nor to any emotional aspect of life. Nor am I endeavoring to imitate Nature […] One must never attempt to transfer any of these beautiful living things around us onto a piece of paper and turn them into something of a forgery of life. The purpose of the painting is entirely different […] Painting and art must serve to build the conditions for an altogether new world! Just as God, once upon a time, created the world as a work of art which is presently alive with us living in it, so must the artist seek the opportunity to create a totally new condition, which, in the case of a picture, is something we absorb through the eye."
Provenance: The Rami Cohen Collection.
Art collector Rami Cohen (1941-2018), native of Poland, immigrated to Israel with his family in 1948. Educated in Moshav Nahalal, he began painting already in his youth. Served as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces' standing army, and was decorated for the act of evacuating wounded soldiers under fire. Cohen was injured his right hand in the course of his army service, the injury leaving him disabled and unable to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. Nevertheless, he never lost his love for art, and the adversity he experienced simply led him to change direction from artist to art collector, and to devote much of his strength and wealth toward assembling his collection, leading him to become a passionately involved participant and a dominant influence in a number of different artistic circles. He organized and curated various art exhibitions, including, for example, "Nation Builds Land: Israeli History as Mirrored through Art" (1988) at the Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art. His collection includes portraits by Yehezkel Streichman and Menashe Kadishman who personally presented them to him as gifts, as a token of their friendship. He similarly established close friendships with many other artists. Ensuring that Israeli art command the respect it deserved was high among his lifelong list of priorities, as was the challenge of enabling artists to thrive and prosper; to that end, he lent his personal assistance to artists seeking to advance their professional careers. He took a special interest in artists such as Michail Grobman, Shmuel Ackerman, and others arriving in Israel from the former Soviet Union, and helped bring them into the public spotlight. Initiated and edited the online database entitled "Omanut Israel" (or "Art 23,") which included articles and media reviews in addition to a great deal of professional material relating to the Israeli art scene, being utilized by professional and government bodies. His collection is multi-faceted and richly diverse, consisting of artworks by both Israeli and non-Israeli artists, representing a broad spectrum of artistic styles, schools, and trends – a collection that reflects significant and fascinating developments in the field of Israeli art over a period of several decades, all from the point of view of a true lover of art.
Michail Grobman (b. 1939), Водонаг (Vodonag). Jerusalem, 1976.
Acrylic on paper. Signed, titled, and dated.
35X50 cm. Good condition. Stains, especially to edges.
Michail Grobman (b. 1939), Russian-Israeli painter and poet, native of Moscow. Among the founders of the Second Russian Avant-Garde – a title he himself coined – in the Soviet Union in the 1960s. Immigrated to Israel in 1971. Established the Leviathan Group in 1975 in collaboration with Avraham Ofek and Samuel Ackerman. The style of the group represented a blend of contemporary art, Jewish themes, symbolism, and metaphysics. In the manifesto entitled "The Leviathan Declaration, " publicized in 1976, Grobman set forth the group's goals: "Our joint appearance is an incipient attempt to create an inclusive national style that befits the spirit of the building of the New Israel […], our political basis [is] Zionism. Our spiritual basis – Jewish mysticism. Three foundations define our artistic stance: 1. Primitivism 2. Symbol 3. Letter."
In an interview with the children's weekly magazine "Davar Liyeladim" in 1981, Grobman had this to say about his work: “Nothing I do pertains to the realm of psychology, nor to any emotional aspect of life. Nor am I endeavoring to imitate Nature […] One must never attempt to transfer any of these beautiful living things around us onto a piece of paper and turn them into something of a forgery of life. The purpose of the painting is entirely different […] Painting and art must serve to build the conditions for an altogether new world! Just as God, once upon a time, created the world as a work of art which is presently alive with us living in it, so must the artist seek the opportunity to create a totally new condition, which, in the case of a picture, is something we absorb through the eye."
Provenance: The Rami Cohen Collection.
Art collector Rami Cohen (1941-2018), native of Poland, immigrated to Israel with his family in 1948. Educated in Moshav Nahalal, he began painting already in his youth. Served as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces' standing army, and was decorated for the act of evacuating wounded soldiers under fire. Cohen was injured his right hand in the course of his army service, the injury leaving him disabled and unable to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. Nevertheless, he never lost his love for art, and the adversity he experienced simply led him to change direction from artist to art collector, and to devote much of his strength and wealth toward assembling his collection, leading him to become a passionately involved participant and a dominant influence in a number of different artistic circles. He organized and curated various art exhibitions, including, for example, "Nation Builds Land: Israeli History as Mirrored through Art" (1988) at the Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art. His collection includes portraits by Yehezkel Streichman and Menashe Kadishman who personally presented them to him as gifts, as a token of their friendship. He similarly established close friendships with many other artists. Ensuring that Israeli art command the respect it deserved was high among his lifelong list of priorities, as was the challenge of enabling artists to thrive and prosper; to that end, he lent his personal assistance to artists seeking to advance their professional careers. He took a special interest in artists such as Michail Grobman, Shmuel Ackerman, and others arriving in Israel from the former Soviet Union, and helped bring them into the public spotlight. Initiated and edited the online database entitled "Omanut Israel" (or "Art 23,") which included articles and media reviews in addition to a great deal of professional material relating to the Israeli art scene, being utilized by professional and government bodies. His collection is multi-faceted and richly diverse, consisting of artworks by both Israeli and non-Israeli artists, representing a broad spectrum of artistic styles, schools, and trends – a collection that reflects significant and fascinating developments in the field of Israeli art over a period of several decades, all from the point of view of a true lover of art.
Michail Grobman (b. 1939), Common Household Demon (средний домашний черт), 1976.
Acrylic on paper. Signed, titled, and dated.
35X50 cm. Good condition.
Michail Grobman (b. 1939), Russian-Israeli painter and poet, native of Moscow. Among the founders of the Second Russian Avant-Garde – a title he himself coined – in the Soviet Union in the 1960s. Immigrated to Israel in 1971. Established the Leviathan Group in 1975 in collaboration with Avraham Ofek and Samuel Ackerman. The style of the group represented a blend of contemporary art, Jewish themes, symbolism, and metaphysics. In the manifesto entitled "The Leviathan Declaration, " publicized in 1976, Grobman set forth the group's goals: "Our joint appearance is an incipient attempt to create an inclusive national style that befits the spirit of the building of the New Israel […], our political basis [is] Zionism. Our spiritual basis – Jewish mysticism. Three foundations define our artistic stance: 1. Primitivism 2. Symbol 3. Letter."
In an interview with the children's weekly magazine "Davar Liyeladim" in 1981, Grobman had this to say about his work: “Nothing I do pertains to the realm of psychology, nor to any emotional aspect of life. Nor am I endeavoring to imitate Nature […] One must never attempt to transfer any of these beautiful living things around us onto a piece of paper and turn them into something of a forgery of life. The purpose of the painting is entirely different […] Painting and art must serve to build the conditions for an altogether new world! Just as God, once upon a time, created the world as a work of art which is presently alive with us living in it, so must the artist seek the opportunity to create a totally new condition, which, in the case of a picture, is something we absorb through the eye."
Provenance: The Rami Cohen Collection.
Art collector Rami Cohen (1941-2018), native of Poland, immigrated to Israel with his family in 1948. Educated in Moshav Nahalal, he began painting already in his youth. Served as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces' standing army, and was decorated for the act of evacuating wounded soldiers under fire. Cohen was injured his right hand in the course of his army service, the injury leaving him disabled and unable to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. Nevertheless, he never lost his love for art, and the adversity he experienced simply led him to change direction from artist to art collector, and to devote much of his strength and wealth toward assembling his collection, leading him to become a passionately involved participant and a dominant influence in a number of different artistic circles. He organized and curated various art exhibitions, including, for example, "Nation Builds Land: Israeli History as Mirrored through Art" (1988) at the Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art. His collection includes portraits by Yehezkel Streichman and Menashe Kadishman who personally presented them to him as gifts, as a token of their friendship. He similarly established close friendships with many other artists. Ensuring that Israeli art command the respect it deserved was high among his lifelong list of priorities, as was the challenge of enabling artists to thrive and prosper; to that end, he lent his personal assistance to artists seeking to advance their professional careers. He took a special interest in artists such as Michail Grobman, Shmuel Ackerman, and others arriving in Israel from the former Soviet Union, and helped bring them into the public spotlight. Initiated and edited the online database entitled "Omanut Israel" (or "Art 23,") which included articles and media reviews in addition to a great deal of professional material relating to the Israeli art scene, being utilized by professional and government bodies. His collection is multi-faceted and richly diverse, consisting of artworks by both Israeli and non-Israeli artists, representing a broad spectrum of artistic styles, schools, and trends – a collection that reflects significant and fascinating developments in the field of Israeli art over a period of several decades, all from the point of view of a true lover of art.
Michail Grobman (b. 1939), Bear and Fish, 1968.
Watercolor on paper. Signed, titled, and dated.
58X41 cm. Good condition. Minor blemishes. Matted.
Michail Grobman (b. 1939), Russian-Israeli painter and poet, native of Moscow. Among the founders of the Second Russian Avant-Garde – a title he himself coined – in the Soviet Union in the 1960s. Immigrated to Israel in 1971. Established the Leviathan Group in 1975 in collaboration with Avraham Ofek and Samuel Ackerman. The style of the group represented a blend of contemporary art, Jewish themes, symbolism, and metaphysics. In the manifesto entitled "The Leviathan Declaration, " publicized in 1976, Grobman set forth the group's goals: "Our joint appearance is an incipient attempt to create an inclusive national style that befits the spirit of the building of the New Israel […], our political basis [is] Zionism. Our spiritual basis – Jewish mysticism. Three foundations define our artistic stance: 1. Primitivism 2. Symbol 3. Letter."
In an interview with the children's weekly magazine "Davar Liyeladim" in 1981, Grobman had this to say about his work: “Nothing I do pertains to the realm of psychology, nor to any emotional aspect of life. Nor am I endeavoring to imitate Nature […] One must never attempt to transfer any of these beautiful living things around us onto a piece of paper and turn them into something of a forgery of life. The purpose of the painting is entirely different […] Painting and art must serve to build the conditions for an altogether new world! Just as God, once upon a time, created the world as a work of art which is presently alive with us living in it, so must the artist seek the opportunity to create a totally new condition, which, in the case of a picture, is something we absorb through the eye."
Provenance: The Rami Cohen Collection.
Art collector Rami Cohen (1941-2018), native of Poland, immigrated to Israel with his family in 1948. Educated in Moshav Nahalal, he began painting already in his youth. Served as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces' standing army, and was decorated for the act of evacuating wounded soldiers under fire. Cohen was injured his right hand in the course of his army service, the injury leaving him disabled and unable to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. Nevertheless, he never lost his love for art, and the adversity he experienced simply led him to change direction from artist to art collector, and to devote much of his strength and wealth toward assembling his collection, leading him to become a passionately involved participant and a dominant influence in a number of different artistic circles. He organized and curated various art exhibitions, including, for example, "Nation Builds Land: Israeli History as Mirrored through Art" (1988) at the Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art. His collection includes portraits by Yehezkel Streichman and Menashe Kadishman who personally presented them to him as gifts, as a token of their friendship. He similarly established close friendships with many other artists. Ensuring that Israeli art command the respect it deserved was high among his lifelong list of priorities, as was the challenge of enabling artists to thrive and prosper; to that end, he lent his personal assistance to artists seeking to advance their professional careers. He took a special interest in artists such as Michail Grobman, Shmuel Ackerman, and others arriving in Israel from the former Soviet Union, and helped bring them into the public spotlight. Initiated and edited the online database entitled "Omanut Israel" (or "Art 23,") which included articles and media reviews in addition to a great deal of professional material relating to the Israeli art scene, being utilized by professional and government bodies. His collection is multi-faceted and richly diverse, consisting of artworks by both Israeli and non-Israeli artists, representing a broad spectrum of artistic styles, schools, and trends – a collection that reflects significant and fascinating developments in the field of Israeli art over a period of several decades, all from the point of view of a true lover of art.
Michail Grobman (b. 1939), Bird and the Ship of Death (птица и корабль смерти), 1968.
Watercolor on paper. Signed, titled, and dated.
58X40.5 cm. Good condition. Blemishes. Matted.
Michail Grobman (b. 1939), Russian-Israeli painter and poet, native of Moscow. Among the founders of the Second Russian Avant-Garde – a title he himself coined – in the Soviet Union in the 1960s. Immigrated to Israel in 1971. Established the Leviathan Group in 1975 in collaboration with Avraham Ofek and Samuel Ackerman. The style of the group represented a blend of contemporary art, Jewish themes, symbolism, and metaphysics. In the manifesto entitled "The Leviathan Declaration, " publicized in 1976, Grobman set forth the group's goals: "Our joint appearance is an incipient attempt to create an inclusive national style that befits the spirit of the building of the New Israel […], our political basis [is] Zionism. Our spiritual basis – Jewish mysticism. Three foundations define our artistic stance: 1. Primitivism 2. Symbol 3. Letter."
In an interview with the children's weekly magazine "Davar Liyeladim" in 1981, Grobman had this to say about his work: “Nothing I do pertains to the realm of psychology, nor to any emotional aspect of life. Nor am I endeavoring to imitate Nature […] One must never attempt to transfer any of these beautiful living things around us onto a piece of paper and turn them into something of a forgery of life. The purpose of the painting is entirely different […] Painting and art must serve to build the conditions for an altogether new world! Just as God, once upon a time, created the world as a work of art which is presently alive with us living in it, so must the artist seek the opportunity to create a totally new condition, which, in the case of a picture, is something we absorb through the eye."
Provenance: The Rami Cohen Collection.
Art collector Rami Cohen (1941-2018), native of Poland, immigrated to Israel with his family in 1948. Educated in Moshav Nahalal, he began painting already in his youth. Served as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces' standing army, and was decorated for the act of evacuating wounded soldiers under fire. Cohen was injured his right hand in the course of his army service, the injury leaving him disabled and unable to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. Nevertheless, he never lost his love for art, and the adversity he experienced simply led him to change direction from artist to art collector, and to devote much of his strength and wealth toward assembling his collection, leading him to become a passionately involved participant and a dominant influence in a number of different artistic circles. He organized and curated various art exhibitions, including, for example, "Nation Builds Land: Israeli History as Mirrored through Art" (1988) at the Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art. His collection includes portraits by Yehezkel Streichman and Menashe Kadishman who personally presented them to him as gifts, as a token of their friendship. He similarly established close friendships with many other artists. Ensuring that Israeli art command the respect it deserved was high among his lifelong list of priorities, as was the challenge of enabling artists to thrive and prosper; to that end, he lent his personal assistance to artists seeking to advance their professional careers. He took a special interest in artists such as Michail Grobman, Shmuel Ackerman, and others arriving in Israel from the former Soviet Union, and helped bring them into the public spotlight. Initiated and edited the online database entitled "Omanut Israel" (or "Art 23,") which included articles and media reviews in addition to a great deal of professional material relating to the Israeli art scene, being utilized by professional and government bodies. His collection is multi-faceted and richly diverse, consisting of artworks by both Israeli and non-Israeli artists, representing a broad spectrum of artistic styles, schools, and trends – a collection that reflects significant and fascinating developments in the field of Israeli art over a period of several decades, all from the point of view of a true lover of art.
Michail Grobman (b. 1939), ten works:
1. Bottles, 1975. Ink on paper. Signed, titled, and dated.
50X35 cm. Good condition.
2-10: Nine linocuts, 1976; signed, titled, and dated: • Evening. • Forest at Night. • Sabbath, three linocuts (different colors). War, two linocuts (different colors). • Chaos, two linocuts (different), one hand colored (watercolor).
Size and condition vary.
Michail Grobman (b. 1939), Russian-Israeli painter and poet, native of Moscow. Among the founders of the Second Russian Avant-Garde – a title he himself coined – in the Soviet Union in the 1960s. Immigrated to Israel in 1971. Established the Leviathan Group in 1975 in collaboration with Avraham Ofek and Samuel Ackerman. The style of the group represented a blend of contemporary art, Jewish themes, symbolism, and metaphysics. In the manifesto entitled "The Leviathan Declaration, " publicized in 1976, Grobman set forth the group's goals: "Our joint appearance is an incipient attempt to create an inclusive national style that befits the spirit of the building of the New Israel […], our political basis [is] Zionism. Our spiritual basis – Jewish mysticism. Three foundations define our artistic stance: 1. Primitivism 2. Symbol 3. Letter."
In an interview with the children's weekly magazine "Davar Liyeladim" in 1981, Grobman had this to say about his work: “Nothing I do pertains to the realm of psychology, nor to any emotional aspect of life. Nor am I endeavoring to imitate Nature […] One must never attempt to transfer any of these beautiful living things around us onto a piece of paper and turn them into something of a forgery of life. The purpose of the painting is entirely different […] Painting and art must serve to build the conditions for an altogether new world! Just as God, once upon a time, created the world as a work of art which is presently alive with us living in it, so must the artist seek the opportunity to create a totally new condition, which, in the case of a picture, is something we absorb through the eye."
Provenance: The Rami Cohen Collection.
Art collector Rami Cohen (1941-2018), native of Poland, immigrated to Israel with his family in 1948. Educated in Moshav Nahalal, he began painting already in his youth. Served as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces' standing army, and was decorated for the act of evacuating wounded soldiers under fire. Cohen was injured his right hand in the course of his army service, the injury leaving him disabled and unable to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. Nevertheless, he never lost his love for art, and the adversity he experienced simply led him to change direction from artist to art collector, and to devote much of his strength and wealth toward assembling his collection, leading him to become a passionately involved participant and a dominant influence in a number of different artistic circles. He organized and curated various art exhibitions, including, for example, "Nation Builds Land: Israeli History as Mirrored through Art" (1988) at the Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art. His collection includes portraits by Yehezkel Streichman and Menashe Kadishman who personally presented them to him as gifts, as a token of their friendship. He similarly established close friendships with many other artists. Ensuring that Israeli art command the respect it deserved was high among his lifelong list of priorities, as was the challenge of enabling artists to thrive and prosper; to that end, he lent his personal assistance to artists seeking to advance their professional careers. He took a special interest in artists such as Michail Grobman, Shmuel Ackerman, and others arriving in Israel from the former Soviet Union, and helped bring them into the public spotlight. Initiated and edited the online database entitled "Omanut Israel" (or "Art 23,") which included articles and media reviews in addition to a great deal of professional material relating to the Israeli art scene, being utilized by professional and government bodies. His collection is multi-faceted and richly diverse, consisting of artworks by both Israeli and non-Israeli artists, representing a broad spectrum of artistic styles, schools, and trends – a collection that reflects significant and fascinating developments in the field of Israeli art over a period of several decades, all from the point of view of a true lover of art.
Michail Grobman (b. 1939), Summer, 1970.
Autolithograph. Signed, titled, and dated in pencil. Numbered 7/15.
Approx. 34X45 cm. Good condition. Stains to edges. Matted.
Michail Grobman (b. 1939), Russian-Israeli painter and poet, native of Moscow. Among the founders of the Second Russian Avant-Garde – a title he himself coined – in the Soviet Union in the 1960s. Immigrated to Israel in 1971. Established the Leviathan Group in 1975 in collaboration with Avraham Ofek and Samuel Ackerman. The style of the group represented a blend of contemporary art, Jewish themes, symbolism, and metaphysics. In the manifesto entitled "The Leviathan Declaration, " publicized in 1976, Grobman set forth the group's goals: "Our joint appearance is an incipient attempt to create an inclusive national style that befits the spirit of the building of the New Israel […], our political basis [is] Zionism. Our spiritual basis – Jewish mysticism. Three foundations define our artistic stance: 1. Primitivism 2. Symbol 3. Letter."
In an interview with the children's weekly magazine "Davar Liyeladim" in 1981, Grobman had this to say about his work: “Nothing I do pertains to the realm of psychology, nor to any emotional aspect of life. Nor am I endeavoring to imitate Nature […] One must never attempt to transfer any of these beautiful living things around us onto a piece of paper and turn them into something of a forgery of life. The purpose of the painting is entirely different […] Painting and art must serve to build the conditions for an altogether new world! Just as God, once upon a time, created the world as a work of art which is presently alive with us living in it, so must the artist seek the opportunity to create a totally new condition, which, in the case of a picture, is something we absorb through the eye."
Provenance: The Rami Cohen Collection.
Art collector Rami Cohen (1941-2018), native of Poland, immigrated to Israel with his family in 1948. Educated in Moshav Nahalal, he began painting already in his youth. Served as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces' standing army, and was decorated for the act of evacuating wounded soldiers under fire. Cohen was injured his right hand in the course of his army service, the injury leaving him disabled and unable to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. Nevertheless, he never lost his love for art, and the adversity he experienced simply led him to change direction from artist to art collector, and to devote much of his strength and wealth toward assembling his collection, leading him to become a passionately involved participant and a dominant influence in a number of different artistic circles. He organized and curated various art exhibitions, including, for example, "Nation Builds Land: Israeli History as Mirrored through Art" (1988) at the Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art. His collection includes portraits by Yehezkel Streichman and Menashe Kadishman who personally presented them to him as gifts, as a token of their friendship. He similarly established close friendships with many other artists. Ensuring that Israeli art command the respect it deserved was high among his lifelong list of priorities, as was the challenge of enabling artists to thrive and prosper; to that end, he lent his personal assistance to artists seeking to advance their professional careers. He took a special interest in artists such as Michail Grobman, Shmuel Ackerman, and others arriving in Israel from the former Soviet Union, and helped bring them into the public spotlight. Initiated and edited the online database entitled "Omanut Israel" (or "Art 23,") which included articles and media reviews in addition to a great deal of professional material relating to the Israeli art scene, being utilized by professional and government bodies. His collection is multi-faceted and richly diverse, consisting of artworks by both Israeli and non-Israeli artists, representing a broad spectrum of artistic styles, schools, and trends – a collection that reflects significant and fascinating developments in the field of Israeli art over a period of several decades, all from the point of view of a true lover of art.
Michail Grobman (b. 1939), Earth, 1971.
Lithograph. Signed and dated in the plate. Signed, titled, and dated in pencil. Numbered 7/23.
Approx. 39X41 cm. Good condition. Stains to edges. Matted and framed.
Michail Grobman (b. 1939), Russian-Israeli painter and poet, native of Moscow. Among the founders of the Second Russian Avant-Garde – a title he himself coined – in the Soviet Union in the 1960s. Immigrated to Israel in 1971. Established the Leviathan Group in 1975 in collaboration with Avraham Ofek and Samuel Ackerman. The style of the group represented a blend of contemporary art, Jewish themes, symbolism, and metaphysics. In the manifesto entitled "The Leviathan Declaration, " publicized in 1976, Grobman set forth the group's goals: "Our joint appearance is an incipient attempt to create an inclusive national style that befits the spirit of the building of the New Israel […], our political basis [is] Zionism. Our spiritual basis – Jewish mysticism. Three foundations define our artistic stance: 1. Primitivism 2. Symbol 3. Letter."
In an interview with the children's weekly magazine "Davar Liyeladim" in 1981, Grobman had this to say about his work: “Nothing I do pertains to the realm of psychology, nor to any emotional aspect of life. Nor am I endeavoring to imitate Nature […] One must never attempt to transfer any of these beautiful living things around us onto a piece of paper and turn them into something of a forgery of life. The purpose of the painting is entirely different […] Painting and art must serve to build the conditions for an altogether new world! Just as God, once upon a time, created the world as a work of art which is presently alive with us living in it, so must the artist seek the opportunity to create a totally new condition, which, in the case of a picture, is something we absorb through the eye."
Provenance: The Rami Cohen Collection.
Art collector Rami Cohen (1941-2018), native of Poland, immigrated to Israel with his family in 1948. Educated in Moshav Nahalal, he began painting already in his youth. Served as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces' standing army, and was decorated for the act of evacuating wounded soldiers under fire. Cohen was injured his right hand in the course of his army service, the injury leaving him disabled and unable to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. Nevertheless, he never lost his love for art, and the adversity he experienced simply led him to change direction from artist to art collector, and to devote much of his strength and wealth toward assembling his collection, leading him to become a passionately involved participant and a dominant influence in a number of different artistic circles. He organized and curated various art exhibitions, including, for example, "Nation Builds Land: Israeli History as Mirrored through Art" (1988) at the Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art. His collection includes portraits by Yehezkel Streichman and Menashe Kadishman who personally presented them to him as gifts, as a token of their friendship. He similarly established close friendships with many other artists. Ensuring that Israeli art command the respect it deserved was high among his lifelong list of priorities, as was the challenge of enabling artists to thrive and prosper; to that end, he lent his personal assistance to artists seeking to advance their professional careers. He took a special interest in artists such as Michail Grobman, Shmuel Ackerman, and others arriving in Israel from the former Soviet Union, and helped bring them into the public spotlight. Initiated and edited the online database entitled "Omanut Israel" (or "Art 23,") which included articles and media reviews in addition to a great deal of professional material relating to the Israeli art scene, being utilized by professional and government bodies. His collection is multi-faceted and richly diverse, consisting of artworks by both Israeli and non-Israeli artists, representing a broad spectrum of artistic styles, schools, and trends – a collection that reflects significant and fascinating developments in the field of Israeli art over a period of several decades, all from the point of view of a true lover of art.