Bidspirit auction | Dalia Cohen , Rabbi Shloime

Dalia Cohen , Rabbi Shloime Halbershtam of Bobov, Oil painting, London, 21st century, Oil painting on canvas depicting the Grand Rabbi of Bobov Rabbi Shloime Halbershtam, Grand Rabbi Shlomo Halberstam (1908 - August 2, 2000)[1] (Hebrew: רבי שלמה הלברשטאם‎), was the third Rebbe of Bobov who re-established the Hasidic dynasty in the United States after World War II. Born in Poland, [2] he was the oldest son of Rabbi Ben Zion Halberstam (1874–1941) of Bobov, who was murdered by the Nazis and their Ukrainian collaborators in the Holocaust. ”Reb Shlomo Halberstam זצ״ל The third Bobover Rebbe (1908-2000) “It’s all in the eye’s!” The first thing Raphael Nouril ע”ה my art teacher taught me when I started portrait painting was that the secret was starting with the eyes! As the eyes are the window to the soul, thus revealing the true nature and being of the subject being painted. With this simple but fundamental teaching, I began my quest to unlock the power of portrait painting and perhaps the Hashem’s help, to one-day capture the essence of true greatness. After much searching and by the grace of Hashem, I finally found what I was looking for – Rebbi Shlomo Halberstam and yes - his eyes did convey greatness, holiness and a profound understanding to me! I could truly see in his eyes what an incredible and amazing life he had lived. As the third Rebbe of Bobov he re-established the Hasidic dynasty in the United States after World War II. He was born in Poland in 1908 and was the oldest son of Rabbi Ben Zion Halberstam (1874–1941) of Bobov, who was murdered by the Nazis and their Ukrainian collaborators יש״ו in the Holocaust. Both he and his son and successor Rabbi Naftali, survived the Bochnia Ghetto and rebuilt anew in America. He also rebuilt in another way, as he remarried, having lost his first wife and most of their children during the Holocaust. In this painting, I have attempted to capture his humility and love for the Jewish People. I felt a strong personal connection with him and concluded that this was indeed the Godol I so desperately wanted to capture on canvas for posterity. The work itself is both striking and emotional, I used oil paints to achieve the overall effect and vibe I needed. The colours are both strong and vibrant, blending softly together. There is a stark contrast in the shadows highlighting his face with a soft pallor, the viewer cannot help but notice the contrast with his silver Peyos. Personally, I find oil painting truly liberating! With its innate richness and texture, I feel truly liberated as an artist to both capture and express the Rabbi’s overwhelming love and humanity, yet at the same time I am humbled by this task and so grateful to Hashem who moves my hand and guides my heart always! My commitment to the painting affected me so much that to this day, I light a Yorziet candle for him every Friday night!” Signed and framed