Holy Emissary, from Yiddish Motifs

Todros Geller

Created:
Movement:
1926
Expressionism
key Notes:
Jewish cultural symbolism, Expressionist style
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Dimensions:
Image: 10.5 × 9 cm (4 3/16 × 3 9/16 in.); Wood veneer paper: 15.8 × 12 cm (6 1/4 × 4 3/4 in.); Sheet: 43 × 32.5 cm (16 15/16 × 12 13/16 in.)
medium:
Woodcut on Japanese wood veneer paper mounted on paper
Difficulty:
Expert
New game
story of the work:

"Holy Emissary, from Yiddish Motifs" by Todros Geller is a woodcut that reflects the artist's exploration of Jewish identity and cultural heritage, often depicting themes from Eastern European Jewish life. Geller, an American artist born in Russia (now Ukraine), was known for his work that combined modernist techniques with traditional Jewish subjects, contributing significantly to the Jewish-American art scene in the early 20th century.

Description of the work:

"Holy Emissary, from Yiddish Motifs" by Todros Geller is a woodcut that features a central figure, likely a rabbinical or scholarly character, rendered with bold, expressive lines that emphasize the contours and textures of the subject's garments and facial features. The composition is characterized by its use of stark contrasts between light and dark, enhancing the dramatic presence of the figure against a simplified background, which may suggest a spiritual or cultural narrative inherent to the Yiddish motifs.

Artwork Photograph Source:
Art Institute of Chicago

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Holy Emissary, from Yiddish Motifs