Rafael Ozen was born in 1922. Israeli artist became well-known due to his depictions of historical and Tanakhic plots in the naive style, sometimes resembling folk art. Kings has several artworks by Rafael Ozen.
“Abraham” By Rafael Ozen
In this paintng Rafael Ozen tells the story of Abraham and his son Yitzchak. In particular, the artwork includes the two phrases inscription. As said in Genesis 22: “Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, together with Yitzchak his son … Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. I and the boy will go there, worship and return to you.” The painting presents three episodes, the third part metaphorically shows four rams, the procession in which everyone is full of fear before God and subjection.
According to the Jewish tradition, Abraham represents an attribute of kindness, and Yitzhak is an attribute of severity. So, here in his readiness to sacrifice his sun, Abraham reached perfection, using the uncharacteristic quality of severity.
“The Story of Yosef ” and “The Story of Pharaoh” By Rafael Ozen
“The Story of Yosef ” is told in the second painting. Genesis 33: “Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him (note: Yosef) from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian”. Later, Potiphar’s wife slander led to the arrest of Yosef. However, the gift of being able to interpret all dreams and visions brought him back to power and closer to Pharaoh. The decorations and manner refer to Egyptian ornaments and art.
“The Story of Pharaoh” depicts the episode of Moses resque, when the daughter of Pharaoh saw an infant in the reeds in water and saved him. As written and shown before, Pharaoh commanded to kill all newborn Jewish boys. Nevertheless, Moses’s mother hid her baby for three months and after floated him down the Nile in the basket.
Kings Gallery is a leading fine art gallery established in Jerusalem in 1995. We strive to collect and sell the highest quality historic and contemporary Israeli and International art. Especially, the gallery specializes in artists from the early period of the 1920’s. In addition, Kings allery features leading up-and-coming young artists who will definitely be prominent names in the next few years.
