Nahum Kook - Vertical Abstract Composition (1964)

Artist: Nahum Kook (1908–1978)
Year: 1964
Technique: Gouache on paper
Dimensions: 35 x 68 cm
Status: Hand-signed and dated (lower left)
About the Artwork:
A powerful and vertically-oriented original abstract by the Israeli master Nahum Kook. Dated 1964, this piece features a dramatic central core of vibrant primary colors—fiery reds, yellows, and deep blues—woven together with rhythmic, swirling black lines. The central form stands in sharp contrast against a dark, atmospheric green and brown background, creating a sense of erupting energy. This work is a superb example of Kook’s mid-century expressionism, capturing a perfect balance between chaos and structural control.
About the Artist:
Nahum Kook (1908–1978) was a self-taught Jaffa-born painter and recipient of the Herman Struck Prize. Known for his transition from illustration to bold abstraction, his works are celebrated for their intuitive handling of color and their significant place in the development of early Israeli modernism.