Moshe Castel

Moshe Castel (1909-1992) often used Judaic symbolism in his artworks. He became famous for his work using basalt found in the black rock, which is indigenous to several areas of Israel. Many of his paintings are characterized by his creation of what appears to be an ancient form of writing. These symbols are painted in relief utilizing the black rock material. The strong reds, greens and blacks are indicative of his paintings. Castel is one of the most prominent Israeli artists, born in Jerusalem, descendant of a Sepharadic family who came to Israel during the days of the Spanish Expulsion. Studied art at Bezalel School of Arts and later in Paris where he became part of a circle of artists that included Picasso, Matisse, Sutin and Chagall. His works adorn the Israeli Presidential Mansion and the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) in Jerusalem and are exhibited in some of the most important museums around the world. About The Artist: He lived in Paris from 1927 until 1940. There he used the backdrop of the street scenes for his subject matter and exhibited his paintings in the salons of Paris. On his return to Israel he became famous for his work using basalt found in the black rock, which is indigenous to several areas of Israel. Many of his paintings are characterized by his creation of what appears to be an ancient form of writing. These symbols are painted in relief utilizing the black rock material. His portraits and street scenes often possess a Spanish influence, probably based on his Castilian Sephardic heritage. The strong reds, greens and blacks are indicative of this phase of his paintings. From 1959 the artist spent his time between Paris, New York and Israel. He is also famous for his large murals, which can be found in many important edifices around the world. RÉSUMÉ: He is awarded in 1946 the Dizengoff Prize on behalf of the Tel-Aviv Municipality. In 1947, he initiates and founds, together with other painters and sculptors the group “New Horizons” (“Offakim Hadashim”).In 1959, he came to Paris, acquired a studio in Montparnasse where he spends a few months every year. He awarded prize “Premier do Estado” at the Sao Paulo Biennale, Brazil. 1928/40 Participates in individual and group exhibitions in well known galleries and “salons” in Paris. 1955 Exhibition on the entire top floor of the Tel Aviv Museum. This was the first exhibition of abstract art in Israel Mural painting (9 x 4 m) for Hotel Accadia. Israel Mural painting for “El Al” offices at Rockefeller Center, New York. 1958 Mural glass painting “Face to the Future” (18×3.5 m) at the National Convention Center. Jerusalem. 1966 Executed a large basalt mural painting “Glory to Jerusalem” (7 x 3 m) for the Knesset (Israel Parliament) in Jerusalem. 1970/71 Executes two large basalt mural-paintings for the ceremonial hall of the Presidential Mansion in Jerusalem. “Wall of Glory to Jerusalem” and Golden Scroll”. 1984 “Portrait of an artists” Moshe Castel – Israel Film Service producer. 1984/85 Years of Creativity: 1924-1984 – Jubilee Exhibition at the Knesset the House of Parliament, in Jerusalem. 1989 Opening Exhibition of Beer-Sheva Museum of Israeli Art. 1987 Yurek Gallery, Ramat Hasharon Dania Art Gallery, Haifa Works in public collections

• The Museum of Modern Art, New York
• The Tate Gallery, London
• Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
• The Jewish Museum, New York
• The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston-Texas
• Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona
• Art Museum Berkeley University, California
• Brandeis University, Boston
• Smith College Museum, Northampton, Mass
• Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University
• Wadsworth Athenaeum, Art Museum, Conn
• The High Museum of Art, Atlanta, Georgia
• Baltimore Museum of Art
• John Hopkins University, Baltimore
• American Public Insurance Company, Des Moines
• The Knesset House of Parliament, Jerusalem
• The Brooklyn Museum of Art
• Fairleigh Dickinson Fine Arts Museum, NJ
• U.S. Steel, Pittsburg
• Rehovot House of Sir Isaac and Lady Edith Wolfson at the Weizman Institute
• Temple B’nai Shalom, Rockville Center, New York
• Temple Emanu-El, Providence, Rhode Island
• San Francisco Museum of Art
• The Dropsie College, Philadelphia
• Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York
• Temple Beth-El of Great Neck, New York
• Museum of the Vatican, Rome
• The presidential Mansion, Jerusalem

Additional Information: Born: 1909 Birthplace: Jerusalem, Israel Died: 1992