Ira Moskowitz (Polish-American, 1912-2001). "Torah II" portfolio of 13 original hand-colored etchings. Edition 9 of 145. Touchstone Publishers, New York, 1970. Each etching is hand-signed and numbered in pencil below the image. Text printed by Fequet et Baudier Typography and design by Aline Elmayan, Paris, France. A suite of 13 original hand-colored etchings by Ira Moskowitz illustrating scenes from the Torah. Each etching is printed on fine white Arches paper, and each is hand-signed and numbered. The etchings include: (1) Sounding the Shofar (2) Zot ha Torah (3) Sabbath of Genesis (4) Sanctification of the Sabbath (5) The Belze Rebbe (6) Baroque Synagogue (7) Man at Prayer (8) The Lulav (9) Meditation, Bukharian Synagogue (10) Prayer and Meditation (11) Talmud Torah (12) Discussing the Talmud I (13) Discussing the Talmud II. Size (portfolio cover): 30.75" L x 21.75" W (78.1 cm x 55.2 cm)

Born in Poland in 1912 and raised in Prague, Czechoslovakia from 1914 until 1927, Ira Moskowitz came from a long rabbinical line. In 1927, his family moved to New York City where Moskowitz studied under Henry Wickey at the Art Students League and resolved his conflicting desires to pursue rabbinical studies and art. He then traveled to Israel and Europe, studying the Old Masters between 1935 and 1938. In addition to his interest in creating art with Jewish themes, Moskowitz spent time in Mexico and later moved to New Mexico upon receiving a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1943. In New Mexico, he joined the Taos-Santa Fe artists and depicted Native Americans of the region for seven years, eventually publishing a book titled, "Patterns and Ceremonials of the Indians of the Southwest" in 1949. From 1962 on, Moskowitz lived in two major art capitals of the world, New York and Paris, and continued creating art.

Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010

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#174930

Each etching is hand-signed and numbered in pencil below the image. Arches watermarks visible on several sheets. Protective waxed paper sheets between etchings. Very slight age wear. Images and colors are quite vivid. Comes in a Moskowitz "Torah II" series portfolio. Minor stains and age wear to the portfolio cover, but it still serves to house and protect the etchings quite nicely.