Medium: Graphite on Paper

Signed:Lower

Date Created: Unknown

Size of Paper: 11 3/8 x 13 1/4"

Dimensions with Frame: 18 1/4 x 20"

Condition: Excellent

Provenance: Estate of Daniel Friedenberg

Biography of the Artist:

Léopold Gottlieb was born in Drohobycz, Poland in 1883. From 1896-1902, he studied at the School of Fine Arts in Krakow, Poland. In 1903, he continued his studies in Munich, where he earned his living painting portraits. In 1906, he taught painting at the School of Fine Arts of Bezalel in Jerusalem; then he returned to Paris with his young wife who was a medical student.

Beginning in 1904, Gottlieb exhibited in Paris at the Salon d'Automne between1904 and 1928, the Salon Société Nationale de Beaux-Arts 1911-12, at the Salon des Tuilleries, and the Salon d'Indépendants.

Gottlieb exhibited with the Vienna Secession, and in Zurich, Berlin, and Berne. I n 1912, he exhibited with other Polish artists at Gallery Dalmau in Barcelona. In 1914, it was reported the Gottlieb fought a duel with Moise Kisling, and there is actually a photograph of the duel.

In the First World War he fought in the Legions de Pilsudski. It is said he volunteered to fight on the front.

In Krakow in 1917-1919, he exhibited in group exhibitions. In 1921-1922, he participated in exhibitions of Jewish artists in Varsovie, Poland. He returned to France in 1926. He exhibited at the Salon de France in 1926-1929. In 1927 a monograph by André Salmon was published. In 1929, Gottlieb reunited with the group Polish group "Rythme" and exhibited with them in Poland.

He also exhibited at Les Galeries des Quatre Chemins in Montparnasse, and Zak in 1934, where he had a one-man exhibition.

Gottlieb brought to his work many influences, Expressionism mostly, Postimpressionism, and that Eastern European fervor for freedom, a freedom expressed deeply in his work. In his portraits one can always see the artist has an intimacy with the subject.

In 2001, in an exhibition was called "l'Ecole de Paris 1904-1929," two of Gottlieb's most famous portraits were exhibited, portraits of Jules Pascin and André Salmon. The exhibition was at the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris.

Gottlieb painted many portraits of famous people, including Diego Rivera, and Helena Rubinstein.

Gottlieb died in Paris in 1934.