Pinchas Shaar - Shofar-Themed Judaica Painting, Inscribed Presentation to Menachem Begin, 1972. Original Judaica painting by Pinchas Shaar, executed in a modernist, expressionist style and centered on a symbolic shofar-blowing figure. The composition features a stylized male figure rendered in bold blues, greens, and ochres, with angular facial planes and elongated hands lifting a shofar to the mouth. The background incorporates sweeping, halo-like arcs suggestive of ritual, sound, and spiritual resonance, reinforcing the ceremonial theme.
The work is painted on board or paper and presented in a period gilt wood frame with layered matting. The reverse bears a handwritten Hebrew inscription and English signature reading "P. Shaar," accompanied by a dated dedication from 1972. The Hebrew text identifies the work as a gift associated with Menachem Begin, providing direct historical and political context and elevating the painting beyond a purely decorative Judaica work.
The combination of subject matter, dated inscription, and named recipient firmly situates this piece within the cultural and political landscape of early-1970s Israel, during Begin's rise as a central figure in Israeli public life. The painting reflects the era's blend of modernist aesthetics with traditional Jewish symbolism, particularly the shofar as an emblem of renewal, identity, and national consciousness.
Framed. Visible surface wear and age consistent with period and handling. Inscription on verso clearly legible.
Estimated Value $200 - 300
Judaica