Abram Krol

French Mid Century Modern Abstract Interior Scene (Vase with Flowers)

Abram (Abraham) Krol (Polish, 1919-2001) was a School of Paris artist known for his painting and fine prints depicting still lifes, landscapes, portraits, and city scenes, in a style that balanced juxtaposition of forms and objects found in everyday life, reminiscent of Cubism. Originally from Poland, Kroll moved to France in 1938 to study civil engineering at the University of Caen. At the outbreak of WWII, he joined the Foreign Legion. Upon demobilization, he worked in Avignon as a mechanic in a garage also while taking courses in sculpture at the city's School of Fine Arts. Although Jewish, he was able to survive the war by using false identities. In 1944, he settled in Paris and took up the study of engraving under fellow ex-patriot and master print maker Joseph Hecht. Hecht at that time was recognized internationally for his groundbreaking techniques in intaglio. He would go on to teach and pass on these innovations to many important artists of the day, including British Surrelist painter and printmaker, Stanley William Hayter. In 1946, Krol held his first major exhibition at the renown Katia Granoff Gallery, in Paris. Krol also designed and engraved medals for the Paris mint, painted murals for various schools throughout France, created tapestries, and produced over 200 works in enamel. His work is held in major private and public collections throughout the world, including Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris; the Victoria and Albert Museum in London; the British Museum; Houghton Library, Harvard; Bodleian Library, Oxford, and the Palace of the legion of Honor in San Francisco, California.