Theo Tobiasse Art for Sale: Prints & Originals

Theo
Tobiasse

Tobiasse, a French artist of Lithuanian-Jewish descent, created emotionally charged works that explored exile and biblical narratives. His distinctive style and use of vibrant colours have made him a significant figure in 20th century art. If you're looking for Theo Tobiasse original prints and editions for sale or would like to sell, request a complimentary valuation and browse our network's most in-demand works.

Biography

Born in 1927 in Jaffa, Palestine, Tobiasse's early life was marked by displacement and hardship. His family moved to Paris in 1931, where they faced the horrors of World War II. Tobiasse spent two years in hiding during the Nazi occupation, an experience that profoundly influenced his later artistic output.

Despite these challenges, Tobiasse's passion for art flourished. He studied at the National School of Decorative Arts in Paris, honing his skills and developing his artistic voice. His work began to gain recognition in the 1960s, and he quickly established himself as a notable figure in the Contemporary Art scene.

Tobiasse's art is characterised by its vibrant colours, intricate details, and the incorporation of text into his images. His paintings and prints feature dreamlike scenes, blending elements of his Jewish heritage, biblical stories, and personal experiences of exile and displacement.

Tobiasse's artistic career took off in the 1960s when he held his first solo exhibition at the Drouant Gallery in Paris. His distinctive style combined elements of Expressionism and Surrealism.

Throughout his career, Tobiasse worked in various mediums, including oil painting, watercolour, sculpture, and printmaking. He was particularly known for his lithographs and etchings His prints often featured limited colour palettes, emphasising the power of his line work and composition.

One of Tobiasse's most notable series was inspired by the Song of Songs, a biblical text that allowed him to explore themes of love, sensuality, and spirituality. This series, along with his other biblically-inspired works, showcased his ability to reinterpret ancient narratives through a personal lens.

In addition to his two-dimensional work, Tobiasse also created a series of small bronze sculptures and experimented with ceramics.

Tobiasse's experience as a Jewish exile shaped his artistic output. His works often feature fragmented cityscapes and floating figures, reflecting the disorientation and complexity of the exile experience. Tobiasse himself claimed that all of his work is autobiographical, highlighting how his personal history of displacement informed his art. This theme is particularly evident in works like L’Enfant Clown Aux Yeux Graves Qui Chante L’Eternelle Blessure De L’Exil (The Child Clown With Serious Eyes Who Sings The Eternal Wounds Of Exile), where the artist explores the lasting impact of forced migration.
A distinctive feature of Tobiasse's work is the incorporation of text into his artworks. Often multilingual, these textual elements add layers of interprative value to his compositions. Tobiasse referred to these as his 'mots picturaux' ('pictorial words'). This technique serves as a way for the artist to directly communicate with the viewer, often providing poetic or enigmatic commentary on the images. The interplay between text and image in Tobiasse's work invites a multi-layered engagement from the viewer.
Tobiasse drew inspiration from the bible. In Jacob’s Sleep (1989), Tobiasse captures the dreamlike quality of biblical storytelling with his expressive use of vibrant colours and symbolic forms. The composition, filled with exaggerated figures and intertwined hands, creates an intimate scene of connection and introspection. Tobiasse’s stylised approach bridges ancient narratives with contemporary artistic practices.

Theo
Tobiasse