Malarstwo artystów żydowskich w zbiorach Muzeum Podlaskiego w Białymstoku

Abstract

The article presents the artistic activity of Jewish painters living in Białystok until 1943. It vividly depicts the fate of Białystok Jews and, to a lesser extent, Białystok residents. It goes back in time to 1658, when the first Jews arrived in the town, concluding with the destruction of its ghetto. Among those creating Białystok bohema are to be mentioned: Izrael Beker, Simon Segal, Bencion Rabinowicz and their works, techniques, achievements, which are is deeply analyzed. These are works presented by the artists who were associated with Białystok at different times and in different ways, their work resulted from the tradition and history of the city, in which they were born or stayed. The images discussed in the article are not only the works of painters connected with Białystok, but the way they become a cogent evidence of the artists’ talent and diligence. The authors of the article emphasise that art should not always be considered as a document of the aesthetic sensitivity and talent of the artist, but they also are multi-layered documents of the era, priceless testimony of its time.