Bidspirit auction | Osias Hofstatter

Osias Hofstatter - The Angel. 31 × 21 cm Drawing / mixed media on paper, signed lower right, framed under glass in its original frame. A compelling and emotionally charged work by Osias Hofstatter, one of the most distinctive voices in Israeli art, celebrated for his expressive draftsmanship and his profound exploration of the human condition. This exceptional piece carries not only artistic significance but also remarkable provenance and exhibition history. The work was exhibited at the Israel Museum, and the purchaser will receive the corresponding Israel Museum exhibition catalogue in which the artwork appears—an important element that enhances both its scholarly and collectible value. The drawing also comes from the collection of the painter Roni Taharlev and her partner, and is accompanied by a personal letter written by Hofstatter to the previous owner, Naomi Werman of Jerusalem. These layers of provenance create an intimate connection to both the artist and the work's journey through time. The composition presents a nude human figure in a dramatic and elevated pose. The body arches backward while the arms are raised upward, suspended in a gesture that may suggest surrender, struggle, prayer, exaltation, or transcendence. It is precisely this ambiguity that gives the work its emotional depth. The title, The Angel, introduces a powerful symbolic dimension. Though unmistakably human in form, the figure seems to exist in a space beyond the physical world. It becomes a messenger between earth and spirit, vulnerability and redemption, flesh and transcendence. Hofstatter transforms the nude body into an image of spiritual intensity, allowing it to embody both suffering and hope. The drawing is executed with Hofstatter's characteristic freedom of line. Rapid, energetic marks coexist with softened and blurred passages that create atmosphere and depth. The figure is not described through academic precision but through emotional truth. The line bends, fractures, and reforms itself repeatedly, emphasizing the internal energy of the subject rather than anatomical exactitude. The restrained monochromatic palette of blacks, greys, and whites heightens the dramatic quality of the scene and focuses attention on movement, tension, and physical presence. The richly worked dark background isolates the figure, allowing it to emerge almost as if illuminated by a theatrical spotlight or revealed within a visionary experience. The elegant presentation further enhances the work's impact. Framed beneath glass with a wide, warm-toned mat and preserved in its original frame, the contrast between the dramatic image and the refined display creates a balance of intensity and restraint. Throughout his career, Hofstatter returned repeatedly to the human figure as a vehicle for expressing universal emotions and spiritual questions. His works reveal influences of European Expressionism while remaining deeply rooted in a humanistic vision shaped by memory, faith, and the complexities of existence. This drawing beautifully encapsulates Hofstatter's mature artistic language—a synthesis of expressive freedom, psychological depth, and profound compassion for the human experience. Technique: Drawing / mixed media on paper Dimensions: 31 × 21 cm Signature: Signed lower right Framing: Original frame, matted and framed under glass Condition: Very good Provenance:  Collection of the painter Roni Taharlev and her partner Accompanied by a letter from Osias Hofstatter to the previous owner, Naomi Werman of Jerusalem Exhibited at the Israel Museum Includes the Israel Museum exhibition catalogue featuring the work A museum-exhibited work of exceptional provenance and emotional power, The Angel stands as a moving testament to Hofstatter's ability to transform the human figure into an image of spiritual resonance. Combining artistic significance, documented exhibition history, and direct personal connections to both artist and collectors, this is a rare opportunity to acquire an important work by one of Israel's great expressionists.