Details – Boy with Flowers by Yosl Bergner
Boy with Flowers, a powerful oil on canvas by Yosl Bergner, is a joyful yet thought-provoking exploration of childhood, memory, and imagination. Painted in Bergner’s signature expressionist style, the artwork is rich in symbolism, color, and cultural resonance. At its heart stands a boy, arms raised in delight, surrounded by oversized flowers and tilting houses. It’s a dreamscape rooted in memory — and a celebration of life amid fragility.
Colors
To begin with, the background is a deep, resonant blue, offering a sense of both mystery and depth. Against it, the vivid oranges, reds, and yellows of the flowers seem to dance with energy.
Yosl Bergner, a central figure in Israeli and Jewish art, often returned to the subject of the shtetl — the traditional Eastern European Jewish village. However, he never painted it nostalgically. Instead, he rendered its fragility, absurdity, and spiritual force with whimsical objects, dream-like figures, and metaphors drawn from folklore.
In this painting, , for instance, crooked, crumbling houses lean awkwardly, like they are about to fall — yet they bloom. Flowers sprout from windows, roofs, and streets. Life persists. Nature overcomes ruin. And at the center, a boy in a pointed cap smiles and lifts his arms, as if inviting us to join in his joy. He is playful, innocent — perhaps even victorious.
Moreover, the boy may be alone, but he is not lonely. The flowers keep him company. Each one is painted with care and wildness, adding a fantastical layer to the composition. Indeed, they are not just background. They are characters in his world — symbols of hope, color, and emotional survival.
Technique
In addition, Bergner’s technique is both energetic and precise. His thick, textured brushwork gives weight to every element, while the composition stays light and dreamlike. There is structure, but also freedom. It is a child’s world — imperfect, tilted, but full of possibility.
You can explore Boy with Flowers and other rare works by Yosl Bergner at Kings Gallery in Jerusalem. Founded in 1995, Kings Gallery proudly presents a curated selection of historic and modern Israeli art.
Acquisition
This original painting is available for purchase. To acquire Boy with Flowers, please contact Kings Gallery. We offer professional consultation, secure international shipping, and personalized support.
Kings Gallery is a leading fine art gallery established in Jerusalem in 1995. Particularly, we strive to collect and sell the highest quality historic and contemporary Israeli and International art. The gallery specializes primarily in artists from the early period of the 1920’s. Besides, Kings Gallery features leading up-and-coming young artists who will definitely be prominent names in the next few years.
