Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a paint drawing by Shalom Of Safed. It dates from 1965 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1965, this synthetic polymer painting on paper is an untitled work by Shalom Moskovitz, an artist from Safed who began his visual practice in his mid‑fifties after a career as a watchmaker. The composition combines a central boat motif with a densely populated foreground, rendered in vivid, flat colors and strong outlines.
Subject & Meaning
The central element suggests a biblical vessel—likely Noah’s Ark—identified by its striped hull, yellow door and a figure glimpsed through a window. Surrounding the ark, numerous human forms occupy separate zones, some reclining, others standing, evoking a communal scene that may reference themes of salvation and collective experience.
Technique & Style
Moskovitz employed synthetic polymer paint, allowing bright, uniform hues and crisp lines. The work’s visual language is reminiscent of folk art, with bold contouring, simplified forms, and a flat, decorative treatment of landscape elements such as hills, clouds, trees and grass.
History & Provenance
Born circa 1887 in Safed, Moskovitz turned to painting around 1942, producing works that frequently incorporated biblical narratives and scriptural text. This 1965 piece reflects his mature period, though specific ownership history after its creation is not documented in the available sources.
Context
The painting belongs to a body of Israeli art in which self‑taught creators used familiar religious motifs to articulate cultural identity. Moskovitz’s background as a watchmaker and his late artistic start place him among artists who merged everyday craftsmanship with expressive, narrative painting.
Artist & collection
Artist
Shalom Moskovitz (also spelled Sholem Moscovitz, Hebrew: 'שלום מושקוביץ;) c. 1887 – 1980) was a Hasidic Jewish painter in Safed, Israel. Moskovitz, known as artist Shalom of Safed, labored as a watchmaker for most of…
