Henryk Epstein (1891 Lodz - 1944 Auschwitz), Landscape from Provence

oil, canvas; 54.5 x 65 cm;
Signed l. d.: H. Epstein.

"...Epstein develops his painting skills in the open air. In doing so, he continues his original ability to geometrize forms and deepens his ability to handle color efficiently. The structure of Epstein's landscapes and the way he paints bear the hallmarks of his fascination with the paintings of Cezanne. The artist travels not far away, at first mainly to the south of Paris. (...) An accurate characterization of these landscapes appears in later texts from the 1920s, in which the critic [Gustave Coquiot] rightly notes that they are: " (...) even more peculiar, bathed in metallic blues, extinguished greens and salmon pinks." (...) In each of his expeditions, Epstein not only manages to reveal the essence of the landscape, but also paints the people, depicting their daily life and relationships, thus bringing out the local color not only of the place, but also of the community."
Henri Epstein, [series: Masters of the École de Paris], Warsaw 2015, pp. 37, 47