General Description:

Great Judaica work of art. Grinshpun's paintings have so many characteristics that it is hard to provide a formal, concise definition of his work.

The paintings have an overall look of lovely, breathtaking decorativeness, transmitting optimism. Ever since the Second Temple's destruction, a prayer for the construction of a new Third Temple has been a formal part of the thrice daily Jewish prayer.

Jews long for the return of their temple however, the complicated political status of Jerusalem make initiation of reconstruction presently difficult. Here's a loving 19th century view 'through the window'.

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Materials & Medium :
Oil on Canvas

Measurements:

The Artist:

Alexander Grinshpun was born in Bandera in 1949, a time when 'economic abundance' meant subsistence food and a functional roof over one's head.He began to assert himself by age 13, and asked his parents to enroll him in art studies, painting in the afternoons under a teacher's guidance. At age 15 Grinshpun went to work in a wood processing plant; in the evenings he studied 'naturalistic painting'. Soon Grinshpun decided to study art more seriously and attended a local art school from 1965-1968, but it did not satisfy him, and Grinshpun was determined to leave his small town.

He headed for St. Petersburg, which was the center of art and culture, and was accepted to the art academy despite his Jewishness. He remained there until 1978, specializing in creating sets for the theatre and opera.

From 1979-1982, Grinshpun utilized the knowledge that he had acquired in the academy and applied it to the sets he painted and the books he illustrated in black and white.

Grinshpun's move to Israel brought him face to face with the modernism and the postmodernism of 1990s Israeli art. The first period following his immigration did not show a break with his past, as very carefully crafted realistic elements did not disappear from his work, although some of his themes did take a turning point, expressing his euphoria.