Rabbi Painting by Artist David Pelbam
Two weeks ago I happened upon the painting shown above at my local thrift shop. When I first saw it I chuckled because the town where I live is not overly Jewish and as a matter of fact there are two prominent churches quit near each other in the town center. I put it aside and did not think twice, but when I paid a visit to the thrift shop yesterday the painting had been shoved into A dark corner and had been reduced from $20.00 to $10.00 and so I purchased it. I originally bought it for the frame but after a bit of research I found that I had an authentic work of art done by a local Rhode Island painter by the name of David Pelbam sometime between 1950-1960.
There is not much information available about this artist but apparently he was born in 1932 and was best known for painting portraits of dock workers, ship captains and rabbis, go figure.
If anyone knows anything about the artist or the rabbi featured above I would love to know more. For the time being he is hanging in my living room.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I have a David Pelbam painting. Got it for my wife’s birthday 28 yrs ago.
Bought it for 65 dollars, marked down from 90 dollars. Have seen one captain and one rabbi painting on E-bay. Asking price of either is around one thousand dollars. One site I visited said his paintings range in value from one hundred to twenty five hundred dollars. Good luck, or should I just say enjoy.
Joe.
Hi Joe,
I have gotten a few stories on David P. One is that a furniture shop hired a group of student painters to paint 50 paintings using the same face but different characters. My painting is numbered “25″ on the back. The value is not a lot maybe $125.00 to $150.00 but after hanging the painting up, I have fallen in love with the Rabbi that Ihave. The paintings is very well done and I absolutely love it.
Thanks for commenting,
Patti
The value of a Pelbam Original Oil Painting can easily range in the thousands of dollars – depending on the quality of the work. Pelbam’s art has recently had a resurgence and people are really beginning to take note of Pelbam’s unique style. From what I hear, people are often drawn to the subject’s eyes in Pelbam paintings. I know once you’ve seen a Pelbam in the flesh, you really find his work to be quite amazing and its hard to take your eyes away from it. Congratulations to those who own one of these fantastic and phenomenal paintings! They are keepers!
I bought 4 framed Pelbam’s at a garage sale just last Friday. They are all of sailors and I LOVE them. The lady had them marked at $3, but I got 4 for $10. She had another, I should’ve bought that one too!
I Have a large oilpainting of a Rabbi holding a Menorah. It’s a great painting, the eyes follow me all around the study. I like it very much.
I am the owner of an orignal Pelbam oil painting of a rabbi. I bought this in Las Vegas in 1980. I am quite willing to sell it to the highest bidder. I live in Cape Town, South Africa.
I was given a David Pelbam painting by my mother. It is a large painting of an old man holding a basket of grapes. He is standing in a field. He is wearing a hat of course and his face is captivating. He looks tired and his eyes seem to follow you. You can see that the basket is heavy and you can see the detail of the veins in his arms as he is holding this basket. Awesome
I have a nice oil of london building green black white a little flag has blue white red that is the only color original frame of pelbam artist does any body know thisproduct
I had an old friend who was a professional framer for the Prague National Museum for many years. He fled Czechoslovakia with his family and some art work, just before it fell to the communists in the 50′s. I have two of Pelbam’s works (a rabbi and a sea captain). My friend once told me, that it was his information that Pelbam’s heritage was of Austrian descent, even though he painted in the States. I love his art work very much, and would not part with either painting.!
I just purchased a painting signed Van Meer. After much reading there seems to be a lot of “copies” out theere. Would any of you have a genuine signature of Pelbams? When were these “knock offs” produced. Any info is greatly appreciated. Please e-mail me. Anna
I recently received a David Pelbam oil painting, and wondering some info. on it. I have search and search online for any info. and have not come across anything like this. I have found Rabbi and sailor in all searches. But…… This oil painting is different. The man in picture has short beard,green hat, green blazer, and a red tie, and a (german?) beer mug in hand. The authentic signature is on the lower lefthand corner. Anyone have any ideas about this painting, would be greatly helpful!
Thanks
You probably have a David pelbaum, justlike the rest ofus. There are two stories, read above. it seems that there are a few paintings that go off the beaten path of style for this “artist”. Hope you find more info. If possible, please send photo.
Patti
This is the eBay item for the David Pelbam: 170658173163
This is so you can look at pic. of the oil painting.
Thanks
I recently was given an original Pelbam painting. From what I have researched it must be one of him towards the end of his life as it is definately the same man but older, he is not a sea captain, rabbi or wearing any type of costume. He has a darker wine color shawl (?) around his sholders and has the dark background. I feel in love with it the minute I saw it and totally agree with everyone, there is something about the eyes.
If anyone can tell me how to add a photo of it here I will.
People
I have also a portrait of a Rabi with a Shofar.
He’s now at home , in S Paulo – Brasil.
It’s really a wonderfull portrait !
David
I bought my first Pelbam painting 1.5 years ago and have bought 5 since. I have sea captains, Rabbi, and german men with feather hats. If people want to get rid of them just send me an email.
I recently purchased what I think is a Pelbam painting. It is a beach scene with a fence and a dune. It is done in pale ivory and greens. The signature starts with a D in brown the the elbam is done in a dark grey. Is this the way he signs his stuff or did I just make this up? Please let me know