April 2010
Edith Meisl-Bernhard
Untitled
1965(?)
Oil on canvas
I bought this luminous painting from Camberwell Market many years ago.
Tucked into the back of the canvas was the photostat review of an exhibition by Edith Meisl-Bernhard at the Katz Gallery in Tel Aviv in 1965, from which this painting presumably comes. It is the only thing that I can find out about the artist but what a life it seems: art training in Budapest and at the Rome Academy of Art; set design at the National Theatre and State Opera houses in Arad and Timisoara, Rumania; set design and costumes at the Israel Opera, Tel Aviv; and exhibiting artist. I have always treasured this painting – for the light, the colours and the atmosphere the artist creates within the picture frame. If anyone knows more about the artist could you please contact me. Thank you.
Dr Marcus Bunyan
Please click on the images for a larger version.
“Starting from stage decors, she produces a variety of landscapes with warmth and sensibility. Preserving a personal touch in colouring and in light and shade distribution, she succeeds in rendering in her works local colour and atmosphere, whether in Paris or Jerusalem, in mountainous Galileo or coastal Acre.”
Edith Meisl-Bernhard
Untitled (detail)
1965(?)
Oil on canvas
Edith Meisl-Bernhard exhibition at the Katz Gallery
Edith Meisl-Bernhard
Untitled (detail)
1965(?)
Edith Meisl-Bernhard
Untitled (detail)
1965(?)
Thankx to my friend Ian Lobb, here is the luminosity of the painting – without the colour you can easily see the tonal structure!!
Art Blart _ art and cultural memory archive 
I just came upon your article. I have one of Edith’s paintings! It is titled “Safed” and was purchased by my grandfather in 1970 at The Safari Art Galleries in Jerusalem.
I love her work… I wish we knew more about her, and that her work had more recognition Debra!
I own a Meisl painting that my late parents bought from the same gallery in Jerusalem. Looks like it must be part of the same series that you have.
Hi there, this is a belated response but I have a beautiful sentimental story related to this artist. She is now long gone but when she was in her late 80’es I was a medical resident on-call when I had to resuscitate her. When she opened her eyes she said I was her guardian-angel and asked me for my name and where I was from. She then asked for my address so that she could send me a portrait of me she was determined to paint.
She kept her promise and this portrait is hanging in my children’s room, making me feel wistful every time is see it. She painted me without pupils, like Modigliani would, I suppose.. The hair peace is probably a tribute to my Ukrainian background. If you like I can take a pic of it and email it to you.
i have 2 of her paintings. they both depict scenes of safed,israel
Hi Michael
So many thankx for your comment
Do you have any more details about Edith please? Where did you get them, have you had them for a long time?
I could do another posting with photographs of your two paintings – only if you have any images and feel like it!
Any info would be appreciated 🙂
Regards,
Marcus