Yitzhak Frenkel

Yitzhak Frenkel was born in 1899 in Odessa, Russian Empire. He was a great-grandson of the famous Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev. In his youth he studied in a yeshiva where he met Chaim Glicksberg. As a child he lived right next to Bialik's and Rawnitzki's publishing house "Moriah".[5] In 1917, he studied under Aleksandra Ekster, an influential constructivist, cubist and futurist teacher and painter at the Fine Arts Academy in Odessa, one of the leading art schools in the Tsarist Russia.[6]

His early period in Odessa would carry a great influence into his later life. This time epoch characterized by famine, pogroms, war and factional fighting in the Russian Empire prompted the young artist to explore Utopian themes, the classics and deepen his studies in the Bible, Talmud, Gemara and more; themes originating from these worlds grew common in his future art.[3]

Frenkel was also influenced by the paintings of the abstract musicalists shown in Odessa in 1917. Their symphonies of blue along with the musical nature of their colourful art were heavily present in Frenkel's later works.[3] They took hold in Frenkel's attempts to express his deep feelings in his encounter with mystical Safed, their influence expresses itself in the painter's wandering blue strokes.[3]

The avant-garde art of Odessa and Russian in general would also manifest itself some of Frenkel's works his thought and his early cubist and abstracts art.[3]

Frenkel immigrated to Mandate Palestine in 1919 as part of the first wave of settlers of the Third Aliyah, on board the famous Roslan Ship.[4][6]

In 1920, he established the artists' cooperative in Jaffa and an artists' studio in Gymnasia Herzliya where gave lessons in painting and sculpture. He established the Ha-Tomer artists' cooperative along with the painters Konstantinovsky, Mrs. Had-Gadia (Raphael Abulafia's first wife) and the sculptor Halperin.[6]

Later that year, he set out to travel, first to Egypt where he exhibited in Alexandria.[7] Frenkel then traveled to Paris where he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts and at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière[8] at the studios of the sculptor Antoine Bourdelle and painter Henri Matisse. At the time his painting were abstract. Towards the end of 1920, Frenkel Frenel traveled to Egypt where he showcased his works in an exhibition before returning to Paris.[6][9][10]

The young artist arrived in Paris just a few months after the death of Modigliani.[11] Frenkel's time in Paris was crucial in the formation of the young artist. Frenkel's expressionistic style developed greatly during this period.[3] The early period of his time in Paris was characterized by poverty and hunger, he was evicted from his room and forced to live in the streets and under the bridges, leading a life seeking only art and basic necessities.[11][12] At last he received a living stipend/scholarship from Wormser, an aid to the Baron de Rothschild[12] lifting him from poverty.

He lived in Montparnasse and worked as well as exhibited his work with his contemporaries, Chaim Soutine, Michel Kikoine, Jules Pascin along with other Jewish artists of the École de Paris.[6] He would also spend time in La Ruche in Montparnasse where he would meet other painters of the era.[4] Frenkel would participate in long sessions with his fellow Jewish artists; he described thus their art: "members of the minority characterized by restlessness whose expressionism is therefore extreme in its emotionalism".[11]

In this first Parisian period he would also create abstract modernist works including sculpture and paintings that were characteristic of the avant-garde trends in the French capital.[13]

He exhibited at the Salon des Indépendants alongside other artists of his time, such as Soutine. They were both noticed by art critic Waldermar George. Waldermar George told Frenkel during the time "Do not return to Palestine, they will eat you there" (Frenkel would return in 1925).[5] In 1924, the Dutch painter Piet Mondrian acquired two of his abstract paintings for an English collector.[5][4] He also exhibited at the Salon d'Automne, and the Salon des Arts Sacrés.[6]

Binding of Isaac, 1924, oil on canvas

View from his Parisian apartment by Frenkel

Frenkel returned to Palestine in 1925, where he revolutionized the visual arts.[14][3] He opened the Histadrut Art School in Tel Aviv. In Israel he was considered extreme in his artistic orientations. His students included Shimshon Holzman, Mordechai Levanon, David Hendler, Joseph Kossonogi, and Siona Tagger. He was a mentor to Bezalel students Avigdor Stematsky, Yehezkel Streichman, Moshe Castel, and Arie Aroch. Several of his students (Such as Moshe Castel and others) included Bezalel art students who would visit Tel Aviv in order to absorb the "maestero's" teachings.[3]

Frenkel's Parisian expressionism and modern French influence shown through him not only as an artist but also as a teacher.[3] All those who studied under him absorbed French influence and most them would go to learn in Paris in the 1920s and 1930s. Frenkel's style was closer to the abstract painting to which he was exposed in Paris than the orientalism that was popular in Palestine at that time. He was the first abstract painter in Israel.[15][16]

Isaac Frenkel, was the heralder of modern art in Israel. Showcasing and teaching French influenced art. At the time Palestine, isolated from new developments in European art and seeking to adhere to religious-nationalistic work in the Art-Nouveau Style; saw art that was not at pace with art of European Capitals and deeply influenced by Orientalism.[3] Frenkel wished to establish in Israel a new generation of artists that knew and were aware of the artistic culture of France since Cézanne. he taught his students about Cézanne and Van Gogh and other modern painters as well as techniques he had learned in France. He wished to make his students aware of the developments occurring abroad ( for example of Jewish Expressionism) as well as the intellectual basis of French art.[3][17]

Describing the Jewish School of Paris and his thoughts on art, he said the following: "Like Jewish baroque, penetrating French romanticism, like Delacroix's"[11]

In 1926, he presented in the "Ohel" theater his abstract work, compositions of geometric shapes and alongside them landscape paintings. The exhibition in the Ohel was called "Modern Artists", Tel Aviv's response to the conservative Bezalel driven art in Jerusalem's Tower of David exhibition (Frenkel also presented his work in several of these exhibitions).[11] Frenkel and his students featured heavily in "Modern Artists".[5] In this period an expressionistic tendency in his work begins to arise, especially in his choice of colour. By the time he returned to Paris in 1929 his expressionist style came into form.[3]

Frenkel's return home, made him understand the wide gap between Paris and its developed cultural scene to the small Jewish settlements in the process of nation building.[11] Frenkel felt that he could not express the small settlement's struggle for survival in abstract art, therefore he sought other forms (be it expressionism or other ways). Frenkel said "The intellectuals here turned to agriculture and road building. I wanted to plant a seed in this unsown land. It is impossible to initate Israeli art; it must grow organically from the land".[11][18]

In 1927 his painting in the exhibition of the School Lebanim, is considered the piece that heralded the victory of the modernist art of the École de Paris over Bezalel's conservative school.[5]

Portugal, 1920s 1930s, Abstract Cubism

A Costume design for the theatre

Between 1929 and 1934 Frenkel returned to Paris. During this period he began also to paint in a realistic style, furthermore he would also engage in fresco artwork.[12]

In 1934, he made Safed his home, becoming the first artist to settle in the ancient holy city, 14 years before the "Artists' Colony" was formally established. There he painted the ancient synagogues, narrow lanes, local inhabitants and surrounding countryside.[19]

He first encountered Safed after his Aliya to Israel in 1919, the ancienty city left a deep impression on the young artist.[20] Frenkel was entranced and mystified by the city's colours, its shades of blue, the chants of prayer and the alleyways. Frenkel romanticized the city and its landscapes.[20] This is evident in his portrayal of Safed, mystic and spiritual, things unseen and hidden from the naked eye which the artist attempts to reveal. Frenkel, found in Safed a spirituality and inspiration that was harder to find elsewhere.[20]

In Safed, the artist found many subjects and sources of inspiration. Frenkel painted in Safed the city glowing in green and his signature red and blue. He painted the rabbis and their students, painted scenes of Jewish life. He painted the faces of Safed's residents and the powerful landscape of Mount Meron and more.[20]

During that period he completely abandoned the abstract style and embarked in the search of other, vibrant styles. In that same year, he designed the "Adloyada" carnival in Tel Aviv. In 1936 he began designing sets and costumes for the "HaOhel" theater. He will continue engaging in the sort of work until 1949, continuing his work both for the "HaOhel" theater as well as the "HaBima" theater. During that same period he also painted portraits of several famous actors who worked for the said theaters.[5][12]

In 1937, he embarked on a journey, painting Israel from point to point, North to South. He painted Safed, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the Negev desert as well as the Galilee. He made 13 exhibitions on the motif of Safed up-to 1950.

Jerusalem's dome 1937, before it was plated with gold.

He searched the pictorial in the landscapes of Israel, seeking to feel the land. Several of his landscapes showed the influence of Corot.[18] In 1937, in his eyes, Jerusalem and its soil was brown and hot... Prompting the artist to paint Jerusalem and its hills (as well as Rosh Pina in which he saw a familiar brown) in a Rembrandtesque light.[18]

In the year 1948, the year of Israel's independence, he was allowed to record historic milestones in the Israel's story. He painted the first meeting of the Knesset as well as the first meeting of the military committee of the IDF. He also made portraits of the first 120 MKs (Members of the Knesset).[21][22]

Isaac Frenkel Frenel, Safed

First IDF Committee Meeting, Yaacov Dori and David Ben Gurion can be seen.

Safed, Frenkel Frenel 1950s

In 1949, he would become one of the founders of the "Artists Colony of Safed". He chose to distance himself from most of the artists of the colony, leading to the colony's resentment of him.[5]

Frenkel Frenel "Safed At Night" 1948

He was the first painter chosen by the State of Israel to represent the Jewish State at the Venice Bienniale.[4] In 1950 he exhibited his work in the 25th and 26th Bienniale of Venice, representing Israel. In 1952 he exhibited again in Paris.

Isaac Alexandre Frenkel Frenel, Safed

In 1954 he returned to France. There he studied glassworks and he created vitrages (Window glass work), which were ordered by the Baroness Alix de Rothshild for a chapel in Normandy in the north of France.[10] During the six-year period between 1954 and 1960 he started to sign his works as "Frenel"...[23][24] This along with his vitrage made for a Christian chapel led some in Israel to believe he had abandoned Judaism for Christianity, a claim that is completely false.[24]

He is considered one of the most important Jewish "École de Paris" painters; along with Soutine, Modigliani, Kikoine, Kremegne, Mane Katz and Pascin.[2] By 1960 he had presented his works in one-man shows in museums and galleries in Europe, the Americas, South Africa and Asia. From 1960 he returned regularly to Israel. However, being outcast due to false rumours and the antagonism the tradition artistic establishment held toward him, he would be almost unable to exhibit his works in Israel and thereafter live in Paris and used Tzfat/Safed as his summer home.[25][24][26]

In Safed, Frenel would at times instruct new students including Rolly Schaffer in the 1960s.[27]

In 1973, his house reopened as a museum, the Frenkel Frenel Museum, showcasing his work. In July 1979, Frenkel had a one-man show at the Orangerie in Paris.[8]

Expressionism, Ilana fourth wife of Frenkel Frenel

Marcel Marceau, 1958, oil on canvas

Expressionist works of Frenkel pinpoint the expression of inner experience rather than solely realistic portrayal, seeking to depict not objective reality but the subjective emotions and responses that objects and events arouse in them. His exalts colours reveal his most hidden emotions and express passion and drama. When he paints his wife Ilana, the colours express an erotical explosion.[28]

The Artist with the President of the Senate, Alain Poher, in the Orangerie Exhibition, 1979, Paris

In 1979 he had a solo show at the famous "Orangerie" of Paris, in celebration of his 80th birthday; inaugurated by the President of the French Senate, Alain Poher.[6][4]

He died in 1981 in Tel Aviv and was buried in Safed.

Yitzhak Frenel-Frenkel memorial plaque, Tel Aviv

Frenkel won the Dizengoff Prize for painting four times, in 1938, 1939, 1940 and again in 1948.[29] He took part in the 24th and 25th Venice Biennales, firstly a pre-independence exhibit and then represented the first time Israel participated.

• 1950: Venice Biennale
• 1924: Salon des Indépendants, Paris
• 1924: Salon d'Automne
• 1924: Salon de Société des Artistes Indépendants
• 1950-1964 Romanet Gallery, Paris
• 1954 Johannesburg - Durban - Cape Town
• 1957: O'Hana Gallery, London
• 1959 Max Bollag Gallery, Zürich
• 1962: Gallery of Drap d'Or, Cannes
• 1965 - Continental Gallery, New York City
• 1967 - LIM Gallery, Tel Aviv
• 1969: Stenziel Gallery, Munich
• 1970: WESTART Gallery, New York City
• 1972: Artistique International Gallery, Nice
• 1973: Aqua Vella Gallery, Caracas
• 1973: IBAM gallery, Rio de Janeiro
• 1974: Galerie de Seine 38, Paris
• 1974: Galerie Karsenty, Monaco
• 1974: GAllery ALTULIDADES, São Paulo
• 1975: Galerie Vendome, Paris "Hommage to Chagall"
• 1975: Jean Apesteguy Gallery, Deauville
• 1975: Museum of Art, Lima
• 1976: Artistes Français
• 1977: Israel Linke gallery, Amsterdam
• 1977: Gallery Galjoen, Hertogenbosch
• 1979: One man Show, Orangerie, Paris, inaugurated by President of French Senate

• Dizengoff Prize (Tel Aviv) 1935;1938;1939;1940;1948
• Beaux-Arts Commission prize (Paris)
• Honour Certificate for nude-painting (Venice Biennale) 1948
• 1st Prize for Litography-French pavilion-in the International Lithography Exhibition (Bruxelles Belgium)  1958
• Grand prix de Paques(nude) 1972
• Grand prix de Noel (expressionism) 1972
• Grand prix International de Peinture de la Côte d’Azur en Frande Finale 1973
• Grand prix International de Deauville 1973[30]

• Israel Museum, Jerusalem
• Frenkel Frenel House, Safed

• Visual arts in Israel
• Safed
• Beit Castel
• Shimshon Holzman
• Rolly Schaffer

• Barzel, Amnon. Isaac Alexander Frenel. Jerusalem: Massada Press, 1974.
• Gumprecht-Linke, S. Frenel: École de Paris. Amsterdam: Israel Galerie Linka, 1977.

• Official website
• 3 artworks by Yitzhak Frenkel at the Ben Uri site