STERN GALLERY ARTIST PORTFOLIO

1909-1991

Moshe Castel was born in Jerusalem to a scion to a Spanish family that immigrated to Israel in 1492. His father, Rabbi Yehuda Castel wrote Torah book, designed decorated silk covers, specialized in Eastern-Jewish music and was a well knows artist. His influence on Moshe was very strong.

After he graduated "Betzalel" academy, Moshe moved to Paris, where he studied art at the "Julian" academy and exhibited his works in many galleries. He also initiated the first exhibition of the E'cole de Paris art. In 1940 he came back to Israel and settled at Safed where he was very much inspired by the mystic atmosphere. Later, he became one of "Ofakim Hadashim" movement founders. In his works that were created in a unique technique that combines the use in color and Basalt stone, he talks about the initial connection to homeland, to the time period and to the ancient sources.