Today we’re going to do an artist feature on Isidor Kaufmann!

Isidor Kaufmann was a key figure in the Hebrew art work in the 19th and 20th centuries. He was born in Romania to a family that would ordinarily have him set on a traditional work fate, but ultimately made his way into a lifestyle that truly satisfied him. Kaufmann was rejected from the prestigious Academy of Fine arts in Vienna but found an artistic home as a student of Joseph Matthäus Aigner, a notable Austrian painter who specialized in portraits. After some time passed, he was able to enter the art school within the Vienna Academy and entered an exclusive scholarship under Professor Trenkwald. 

Kaufmann was honored with several awards, including a gold medal bestowed by the Emperor of Germany and a medal at the Parisian Exposition Universelle. A non-material honor came in the form of his Lithuanian student Lazar Krestin, who became a famous artist who focused on Hebrew art of Eastern European Jews. Posthumously, Kaufmanns work can be found in several notable modern museums, including the Tate Gallery and The Jewish Museum in New York.

Kaufmann pays close attention to the close details of this figure. Look at the detailing on the tallis and the embroidery on the curtain in the foreground. He uses his specialization in realism to let the viewer see the weariness in the Rabbi’s eyes, allowing us to sympathize.

Again, Kaufmann lets the viewer in on the intimate details through his realism. The figure is gruff, bundled up, purposeful, even without a distinct background. There’s small flakes of snow on the figure’s collar and hat- maybe he just walked outside and is preparing himself for a long walk in the cold.

Isidor Kaufmann artworks are valued at $5000 and up. We’re interested in purchasing various Isidor Kaufman artworks for cash, please reach out via email or phone if you’re interested!