Leo Roth - Biblical Scene, Jacob and the Matriarchs (Lithograph)

Artist: Leo Roth (1914–2002)
Technique: Color Lithograph on Paper
Dimensions (Paper Size): 50x70 cm
Status: Pencil Signed (Lower Right), Numbered (Lower Left), Unframed
About the Artwork:
This original color lithograph by Israeli artist Leo Roth depicts a stylized narrative from Biblical stories, centering on Jacob, Rachel, and Leah. The composition features structured, monumental Cubist figures. In the lower-left section, a bearded male figure raises his hands in a traditional gesture of blessing or oath-taking. To the right, a female figure in traditional headwear holds a ceremonial vessel. The upper half is dominated by large, overlapping geometric portraits of the matriarchs. Roth utilizes an earthy yet vibrant color scheme of emerald green, deep ochre, and terracotta. The print is hand-signed in pencil by the artist in the lower right corner, numbered on the lower left, and presented unframed on premium 50x70 cm paper.
About the Artist:
Leo (later Lior) Roth (1914–2002) was a foundational Israeli painter whose life and art embodied the pioneering spirit and ideological passion of the kibbutz movement. Born in Galicia, Poland, his family moved to Germany before he immigrated to Mandate Palestine in 1933. Embracing the chalutzic (pioneer) ideal, Roth worked as a shepherd and farmer at Kvutzat Kinneret before settling permanently at Kibbutz Afikim in the Jordan Valley. In 1951, his kibbutz sent him to Paris to study fresco and mural painting, a journey that deeply enriched his style. Upon his return, he was appointed director of the Art Academy of the Kibbutz Movement, mentoring generations of rural artists. Roth's colorful and structured canvases were heavily influenced by Cubism and share a powerful visual dialogue with the works of Naftali Bezem. His art seamlessly blends profound Biblical imagery with poignant representations of early pioneer culture, capturing the monumental essence of labor, community, and the Israeli land.