$213
Rifka (née Angelovitch) Angel (Russian/American, 1899-1988) Two Figural Works: Hunger and Child Day Dreaming (Blossie) . Hunger signed and dated "Rifka ANGEL 194..." l.r., titled and signed "RIFKA ANGEL" on the stretcher, Child signed, titled, and inscribed "...RIFKA ANGEL..." on the reverse. Oil on canvas and encaustic on Masonite, respectively, sizes to 16 x 20 in., both framed. Condition: Hunger with tear, canvas deformations, minor losses; Child with losses, flaking. Provenance: Sold to benefit the Temple Beth Israel and St. James Catholic Church, both of Danielson, Connecticut. N.B. Blossom (Blossie) Margaret Douthat, born 1930, was Angel's daughter and favorite model (1). Rifka's primitive and vibrant style elicited comparisons in her day to Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall. While her work was largely characterized by charming and stylized genre scenes and portraits, such as Child Day Dreaming , Rifka's art became overtly political and somber during the war years and "reflected the anguish of a Jewish woman concerned with the fate of her family in Europe" (2). 1. Ita Aber, "Rifka Angel," Woman's Art Journal , Vol. 7, No. 2 (Autumn 1986 to Winter 1987), pp. 32-33. 2. Ibid., 33.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2012-04-11
