Throughout history, Jewish artists have made significant contributions to the art world, leaving their mark on various artistic movements and styles. For instance, during european enlightenment any jewish woman painter captured the beauty of life and celebrated the complexity of new yiddish Jewish culture within their pieces.
This guide explores 20 of the most famous Jewish painters who have inspired generations with their works.
1. Marc Chagall
- Birth year: 7th July 1987
- Death year: 28th March 1985
- Nationality: Russian- French artist
- Notable characteristics/subject matter: Chagall’s works are known for their use of vibrant colors, dreamlike imagery, and religious symbolism. His work often depicted Jewish life, using Biblical stories to inspire his paintings.
- Notable artwork: Over the Town, La Mariee, America Windows
A pioneer in modernism and a master of color, Marc Chagall is widely regarded as one of the greatest Jewish artists of the 20th century. Born in Russia, he was part of a large family of Jewish immigrants. In 1911, Chagall moved to Paris, where he encountered modern artistic movements such as Cubism and Fauvism. He soon became friends with many influential members of the art world, and his style began to take shape.
2. El Lissitzky
- Birth year: November 23rd, 1890
- Death year: December 15th, 1941
- Nationality: Russian artist and designer
- Notable characteristics/subject matter: El Lissitzky’s art was mainly focused on promoting modern art and design. He was part of the avant-garde movement and worked with geometric shapes and abstract forms.
- Notable artwork: Proun, Beat the Whites with the red wedge, Victory over the Sun
El Lissitzky was a Russian-Jewish artist and designer who is considered one of the most influential figures of Constructivism. Born in Vitebsk, he was exposed to traditional and modern art early on. His works often blended the two as he aimed to create the most famous paintings that combined elements of European folk art modernism with Russian folk traditions.
Lissitzky is known for his bold use of color and geometric shapes, which were heavily influenced by his studies in architecture. He was a key proponent of the avant-garde movement, and his work helped to revolutionize the world of modern art and design.
3. Sonia Delaunay
- Birth year: 13th November 1885
- Death year: 5th December 1979
- Nationality: Ukrainian- French artist
- Notable characteristics/subject matter: Delaunay’s work often focused on color, light, and movement themes. She was part of the Orphism art movement, which used intense colors and geometric shapes to create optical effects.
- Notable artwork: Simultaneous Windows, The Red Slipper, Electric Prisms
Sonia Delaunay was a Ukrainian-French artist who is considered one of the most important figures in Orphism. Born in Odessa, she moved to Paris with her family at a young age and quickly became involved in the French avant-garde circle. Delaunay was an influential movement member, and her work often focused on themes of color, light, and movement.
4. Moritz Daniel Oppenheim
- Birth year: 7th January 1800
- Death year: 26th February 1882
- Nationality: German artist
- Notable characteristics/subject matter: Moritz Daniel Oppenheim was known for his Romantic painting style, which focused on the beauty of nature and human culture. His works often depicted religious scenes from the Bible and portraits of Jewish families.
- Notable artwork: The Return of the Rabbi, A Wedding Procession in the Streets of a Jewish Ghetto, Jacob Receiving Joseph’s Robe
Moritz Daniel Oppenheim was one of the most important German painters of the 19th century and is regarded as one of the founders of Romanticism in Judaism. Born in Hanau, he was the first Jewish painter to be accepted by the Berlin Academy of Arts.
Oppenheim’s works often depicted religious scenes from the Bible and portraits of Jewish families living in Germany then. He used bright colors and expressive brush strokes to bring his paintings to life, and his works are seen as some of the most important pieces of fine art prints.
5. Chaim Goldberg
- Birth year: March 20th, 1917
- Death year: June 26th, 2004
- Nationality: Polish- Israeli artist
- Notable characteristics/subject matter: Goldberg’s jewish art focused on scenes of everyday life and tradition. He often depicted scenes of the Shtetl life in rural Eastern Europe and traditional Jewish celebrations.
- Notable artwork: The Fiddler, Portrait of a Rabbi, Sabbath Candles
Chaim Goldberg was a Polish-Israeli artist known for depicting Jewish life and culture. Born in Krakow, he was exposed to the richness of Jewish heritage early on and often used his art to express his culture. His works are seen as an important depiction of Jewish life when the jewish yeddish culture was threatened.
6. Isidor Kaufmann
- Birth year: 22nd March 1853
- Death year: 16th November 1921
- Nationality: Austro-Hungarian painter
- Notable characteristics/subject matter: Kaufmann was a Jewish artist who focused on depicting scenes of traditional life and customs in the shtetls of Eastern Europe. His works often featured portraits of Jewish families, religious ceremonies, and scenes of everyday life.
- Notable artwork: The Ghetto, A Rabbi at Study, Unveiling the Torah Scrolls
Isidor Kaufmann was an Austro-Hungarian painter known for depicting traditional Jewish life in the shtetls of Eastern Europe. Born in Rohozey, he moved to Vienna as a young man and quickly became involved in the Viennese art community.
Kaufmann’s works often focused on scenes of Jewish life, including portraits of families, religious ceremonies, and everyday moments. He used a realistic style with muted colors to bring his paintings to life, and his pieces are seen as some of the most important depictions of traditional Jewish culture.
7. Maurycy Gottlieb
- Birth year: 2t1st February 1856
- Death year: 17th July 1879
- Nationality: Polish-Jewish artist
- Notable characteristics/subject matter: Gottlieb’s artwork focused on scenes from Jewish life and traditions. He often depicted religious ceremonies, portraits of Hasidic Jews, and everyday moments.
- Notable artwork: The Jewish Wedding, The Rabbi, The Dybbuk
Maurycy Gottlieb was a Polish-Jewish artist known for depicting traditional Jewish life. Born in Drohobych, he studied art in Krakow and Vienna before returning to Poland to pursue his career. Gottlieb’s works often focused on scenes from Jewish life, including portraits of Hasidic Jews and religious ceremonies.
Gottlieb’s art was revered for its emotive nature, often capturing the beauty of everyday moments with vivid colors and bold brushstrokes. His works are seen as some of the most important depictions of Jewish life in Eastern Europe at that time, and they continue to be celebrated as an important part of Jewish culture and heritage.
8. David Bomberg
- Birth year: 5th December 1890
- Death year: 19th August 1957
- Nationality: British artist of Lithuanian-Jewish descent
- Notable characteristics/subject matter: Bomberg’s artwork focused on the urban landscape, scenes of everyday life, and biblical and Jewish themes. His works often featured bold colors and expressive brush strokes.
- Notable artwork: The Mud Bath, Street Scene in London, In the Hold
David Bomberg was a British artist of Lithuanian-Jewish descent known for his vivid and emotive works. Born in Leeds, he studied art in Birmingham and later moved to London to pursue his career. Bomberg’s works often focused on scenes of everyday life, the urban landscape, and biblical and Jewish themes.
9. Isaac Levitan
- Birth year: 30th August 1860
- Death year: 4th July 1900
- Nationality: Russian-Jewish artist
- Notable characteristics/subject matter: Levitan was known for capturing the beauty of nature in his artwork. His pieces often featured landscapes and seascapes, as well as scenes from rural life.
- Notable artwork: Eternal Rest, View of the Village Onvolo, Under The Raintree
Isaac Levitan was a Russian-Jewish artist known for capturing the beauty of nature in his artwork. Born in Kibarty, he studied art in St. Petersburg and Moscow before becoming a prominent landscape painter. Levitan’s works often featured landscapes, seascapes, and scenes from rural life.
Levitan’s art was praised for its vivid colors and emotive brushstrokes, and his pieces are seen as some of the most important depictions of Russian nature. His works remain beloved by modern audiences and serve as a reminder of the beauty of nature.
10.Otto Freundlich
- Birth year: 10th July 1878
- Death year: 9th March 1943
- Nationality: German-Jewish artist
- Notable characteristics/subject matter: Freundlich focused on abstract and surrealist works, often featuring geometric shapes and bright colors. His works explored themes of modernity, technology, and the human experience.
- Notable artwork: The Sun, Composition With Blue Vertical Form, Geometric Construction #2
Otto Freundlich was a German-Jewish artist known for his abstract and surrealist works. He studied art in Berlin before establishing himself as an important figure in the avant-garde art movement. Freundlich’s works often featured geometric shapes and bright colors, exploring themes of modernity, technology, and the human experience.
Freundlich’s art was praised for its daring experimentation and bold vision. His works remain beloved by modern audiences and serve as a reminder of the power of creativity to challenge conventions.
11. Amedeo Modigliani
- Birth year: 12th July 1884
- Death year: 24th January 1920
- Nationality: Italian-Jewish artist
- Notable characteristics/subject matter: Modigliani was known for his portraits and sculptures of female nudes. His pieces often featured elongated faces, almond eyes, and curved bodies.
- Notable artwork: Portrait of Paul Guillaume, Seated Nude, Woman With Blue Eyes
Amedeo Modigliani was an Italian-Jewish artist known for his portraits and sculptures of female nudes. Born in Livorno, he studied art in Florence before moving to Paris to pursue his career. Modigliani’s works often featured elongated faces, almond eyes, and curved bodies.
Modigliani’s art was praised for its emotive nature and unique vision. His pieces are seen as some of the most important depictions of female beauty in modern art and continue to be celebrated by modern audiences.
12. Jankel Adler
- Birth year: 3rd July 1895
- Death year: 25th June 1949
- Nationality: Polish-Jewish artist
- Notable characteristics/subject matter: Adler was known for his expressionist works, often featuring distorted figures and bold colors. His pieces explored themes of everyday life and Jewish culture.
- Notable artwork: The Mourners, Disturbed Night, The Germans
Jankel Adler was a Polish-Jewish artist known for his expressionist works. He studied art in Munich and Berlin before establishing himself as an important figure in the avant-garde movement. Adler’s works often featured distorted figures and bold colors, exploring themes of everyday life and Jewish culture.
Adler’s art was known for its emotive brushstrokes and vivid colors. His pieces remain beloved by modern audiences and serve as a reminder of the richness of Jewish culture. His artwork is seen as an important representation of resilience in the face of adversity, encouraging people to find strength even in difficult times.
13. Gerald Davis
- Birth year: 8th April 1923
- Death year: 2nd February 2003
- Nationality: British-Jewish artist
- Notable characteristics/subject matter: Davis was known for his works inspired by traditional Jewish texts, often featuring abstract shapes and intense colors. His pieces explored themes of faith, culture, and identity.
- Notable artwork: Creation of Man with the Almighty, Sabbath Sacrifice, Elijah
Gerald Davis was a British-Jewish artist known for his works inspired by traditional Jewish texts. He studied art in London before becoming an important figure in the contemporary art world. Davis’s works often featured abstract shapes and intense colors, exploring faith, culture, and identity themes.
Davis’s art was praised for its emotive nature and unique vision. His pieces remain beloved by modern audiences and serve as a reminder of the power of faith and culture to inspire creativity. His artwork is an important representation of hope in difficult times, encouraging people to find courage even when faced with hardship.
14. Yitzhak Frenkel
- Birth year: 1899
- Death year: 4th April 1981
- Nationality: Israeli-Jewish artist
- Notable characteristics/subject matter: Frenkel was known for his heavily abstract works, often featuring bold colors and distorted shapes. His pieces explored themes of modern life and Jewish identity.
- Notable artwork: The Traveller, The Dancer, Aspiration
Yitzhak Frenkel was an Israeli-Jewish artist known for his heavily abstract works. He studied art in Jerusalem before establishing himself as a prominent figure in the modernist movement. Frenkel’s works often featured bold colors and distorted shapes, exploring themes of modern life and Jewish identity.
Frenkel’s art was praised for its emotive nature and creative vision. His pieces remain beloved by modern audiences and serve as a reminder of the vibrancy of Jewish culture. His artwork is seen as an important representation of resilience in the face of adversity, encouraging people to find joy even in difficult times.
15. Chaïm Soutine
- Birth year: 13th January 1893
- Death year: 9th August 1943
- Nationality: Belarusian-Jewish artist
- Notable characteristics/subject matter: Soutine was known for his expressionist works, often featuring intense colors and distorted figures. His pieces explored themes of spirituality, nature, and identity.
- Notable artwork: The White Tablecloth, Still Life with Apples and Tomatoes, The Waiter
Chaïm Soutine was a Belarusian-Jewish artist known for his expressionist works. He studied art in Paris before establishing himself as an important figure in the modernist movement. Soutine’s works often featured intense colors and distorted figures, exploring themes of spirituality, nature, and identity.
16. Jacques Lipchitz
- Birth year: 22nd August 1891
- Death year: 26th May 1973
- Nationality: Lithuanian-Jewish artist
- Notable characteristics/subject matter: Lipchitz was known for his Cubist-influenced works, often featuring abstract shapes and dramatic colors. His pieces explored themes of faith, culture, and identity.
- Notable artwork: The Sacrifice, Couple in Love, La Jeune Femme Endormie
Jacques Lipchitz was a Lithuanian-Jewish artist known for his Cubist-influenced works. He studied art in Paris before establishing himself as a prominent figure in the avant-garde movement. Lipchitz’s works often featured abstract shapes and dramatic colors, exploring faith, culture, and identity themes.
17. Ephraim Moses Lilien
- Birth year: 23rd May 1874
- Death year: 18th July 1925
- Nationality: Ukrainian-Jewish artist
- Notable characteristics/subject matter: Lilien was known for his works exploring the Jewish experience, often featuring bold colors and stylized images. His pieces explored themes of culture, identity, and spirituality.
- Notable artwork: Sons of Israel, Esther at the Palace of Ahasuerus, Theodor Herzl
Ephraim Moses Lilien was a Ukrainian-Jewish artist known for his works exploring the Jewish experience. He studied art in Vienna before establishing himself as an important figure in the Symbolist movement. Lilien’s works often featured bold colors and stylized images, exploring cultural, identity, and spirituality themes.
Lilien’s art was praised for its emotive nature and unique vision. His pieces remain beloved by modern audiences and serve as a reminder of the struggle of the Jewish people for social justice and equality.
18. Charlotte Salomon
- Birth year: 16th April 1917
- Death year: 10th October 1943
- Nationality: German-Jewish artist
- Notable characteristics/subject matter: Salomon was known for her expressionist works, often featuring bright colors and detailed images. Her pieces explored themes of identity, loss, and faith.
- Notable artwork: Life? or Theatre? Farewell, The Boy with the Straw Hat
Charlotte Salomon was a German-Jewish artist known for her expressionist works. She studied art in Berlin before establishing herself as an important figure in the modernist movement. Salomon’s works often featured bright colors and detailed images, exploring themes of identity, loss, and faith.
19. Vladimir Baranov-Rossiné
- Birth year: 24th June 1888
- Death year: 25th December 1944
- Nationality: Russian-Jewish artist
- Notable characteristics/subject matter: Baranov-Rossiné was known for his abstract works, often featuring vivid colors and distorted shapes. His pieces portray classic jewish themes of identity, jewish history, and spirituality.
- Notable artwork: The Red Cow, Abstract Composition, Still Life with Books and Candle
Vladimir Baranov-Rossiné was a Russian-Jewish artist known for his abstract works. He studied art in Moscow before establishing himself as an important figure in the modernist movement. Baranov-Rossiné’s works often featured vivid colors and distorted shapes, exploring identity, history, and spirituality themes.
