Isidor Kaufmann

Galerie Josefstadt, Vienna
Acquired by the present owner from the above, 1975

In good condition. the panel with horizontal supports at top and bottom. UV: Surface somewhat difficult to read due to varnish but areas of possible inpainting in the figure's forehead and in the canvas' upper right corner.
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NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Despite its simplistic composition, this elegant portrait by Kaufmann masterfully captures the sitter's social standing in Viennese society.  Self-assured, this smartly dressed gentleman sits on a finely carved and upholstered chair, facing the viewer.  He bears a resemblance to Zwi Peres Chajes (1876-1927), rabbi, scholar and ardent Zionist. Chajes served as rabbi of the Trieste congregation before settling in Vienna in 1918 where he went on to become Chief Rabbi. An admirer of Kaufmann's works, Dr. Chajes wrote a warm and poetic foreword to the 1925 portfolio of the artist's phototypes in which he praised the artist for his mastery and insight. Kaufmann pays homage to his sitter through his customary care and attentive consideration of the work's details.  It is due to works such as this that the artist became renowned as one of the great portraitists of his day.

Kaufmann often used the same objects over and over again in his paintings. This same chair was used by him to paint "The Stock Exchange Broker Isidor Gewitsch" and "Portrait of the Son of the Miracle Working Rabbi of Belz".