David Hadassah

Theo Tobiasse (1927-2012, Israel/France) "David Hadassah" is an exhibition poster for the Nahan Gallery in New Orleans in 1982. At that time, Tobiasse was living and working in New York and, out of friendship with the dealers, Kenneth and Sherri Nahan, he attended the show and hand-signed this poster. The image was originally an oil painting that was chosen for the exhibition poster. (Nahan Galleries became Elliott Gallery in 1998 when owner, Ken Nahan Sr. sold the business to his daughter and son-in-law. This information was obtained through correspondence with a current representative of the Elliott Gallery, which continues to operate at the same location in New Orleans, LA.) The sheet measures 23" x 30" and the work of art is currently encased in a very slightly damaged frame measuring 38" x 25.5."

Theo Tobiasse, master of the Paris School, was born in Jaffa, Israel in 1927 of Lithuanian parents. His father, a Zionist, was a printer and in order to find work, he moved the family to France in 1931. Between 1942 and 1942, during World War II, the Tobiasse family lived hidden in an apartment. After the war, he worked for many years as an advertising artist and painting at night. In 1960 he entered his first art show and won the Grand Prize. Beginning in 1961, Tobiasse enjoyed incredible worldwide success. His works and the use of colors and textures are attributed to his real life experiences. Tobiasse has also worked in ceramics, etching, lithography and many more mediums. He was one of the rare artists who created original graphics making his own plates and closely supervising all aspects of the printing process.