Biography

A contemporary printmaker and painter, Nissan Engel studied art techniques at Beaux-Arts Bezalel, Jerusalem, from 1952 to 1956. He then studied theatre set and costume design at Centre Dramatique de l'Est, in Strasbourg, France. His first one man show was held in that city in 1958. Around 1960 Engel moved to Paris where his art was the subject of several major exhibitions at the Galerie Weil.

Engel remained in Paris for the following five years and then settled in New York City (1965). During this time the artist began directing much of his work towards original printmaking and in particular experimenting with lithographic techniques. By 1973 Engel's prints were published by both the New York Graphic Society and Ferdinand Roten Galleries, Baltimore. In all probability, Horsemen was commissioned by one of these publishers. In 1975 Nissan Engel returned permanently to live in Paris. Since then his art has been exhibited throughout Europe as well as in America, Canada, Israel, Japan and elsewhere.

Engel's graphic technique is in constant evolution. His earlier prints (such as Horsemen) explore strong expressionist forms within bold areas of contrasting space and coloration. His later prints are much more abstract and non-representational and are influenced by his own art in the medium of collage. These works combine both color etching and relief methods.

Today the art of Nissan Engel is found in the following collections:

Bridgeston Museum, Tokyo, Japan

Weizman Institute, Rehovot, Israel

Elf Atochem Corporation, Paris, France

Schlumberger foundation, Paris, France

The Jewish Museum, New York City

Albright-Knox Museum, Buffalo

The Detroit Institute of Arts

Muscarelle Museum of Art, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Fresno Art Museum, Fresno, California

Museum of Art, State University of New York.