Portrait of an elderly man

The composition depicts a portrait of a rabbi, a spiritual leader and teacher of Judaism. The way of representation, with interest in expression, reveals the artist's empathy for the character represented, but more importantly, discloses an atmosphere loaded with tension and perhaps disappointment. The portrait denotes a high interest in shape and color, using thick brushstrokes in the impasto technique, giving a troubled look in the characterization of the rabbi. The dominant blue tones complemented by the small patches of warm shades are reminiscent of the austere situation and suppression which affected the Jewish population through World War II.