Please find details of “Sleeping Man in Red” by Pinchas Litvinovsky
Sleeping Man in Red by Pinchas Litvinovsky is a compelling expression of solitude and serenity. This oil on canvas painting, measuring 57 x 42 cm, captures a quiet moment frozen in time. The subject — a man dressed in vibrant red — rests deeply, surrounded by warm tones and soft shadows.
Litvinovsky, one of Israel’s foremost modernist painters, had a remarkable gift for expressing emotion through color and form. In this work, the reclining figure appears peaceful yet powerful. His red clothing dominates the canvas, signaling life, intensity, and warmth. And yet, the man is at rest. This tension between energy and stillness defines the painting’s emotional depth.
Moreover, Litvinovsky’s technique is both bold and refined. The brushwork is expressive, but never chaotic. Each stroke has weight and direction. The background is subdued, allowing the subject to glow from within. A soft play of light suggests early morning or late afternoon — those fleeting moments when silence speaks loudest.
But this painting is more than a study of sleep. It’s a meditation on presence. The figure may be asleep, but the viewer becomes fully awake — drawn into the quietude, the calm, the intense simplicity. The composition is intimate, almost tender. As a result, Sleeping Man in Red feels personal, like a memory or a dream.
Litvinovsky was deeply influenced by both European modernism and Jewish spiritual traditions. His work often blends the universal with the particular. In this piece, the red garment evokes both the laborer and the sage — the everyday man and the timeless figure of reflection.
Details
The kippah adds a spiritual layer to the composition, suggesting humility and reverence even in rest.
Another intimate and evocative detail are the man’s two hands. One hand rests loosely on the edge of the sofa and head, fingers gently extending downward. It feels exposed, soft, and unguarded — a gesture that invites trust and stillness. The other hand lies close to the chest, as if protecting his inner world. This second hand adds a layer of vulnerability and closeness.
In addition, the color palette carries symbolic meaning. Red anchors the man to the physical world while hinting at something spiritual. This balance — between earth and spirit, body and soul — is at the heart of Litvinovsky’s genius.
Acquisition
You can explore Sleeping Man in Red and other original works by Pinchas Litvinovsky at Kings Gallery.
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.
This original painting is available for purchase. To acquire Sleeping Man in Red, please contact us.
