Joseph Domjan

Bird & Young

1956

Born in Budapest in 1907, he had a humble upbringing and a passion for the arts. Shortly after the Hungarian Revolution broke out in 1956, Domján was invited to showcase his work in New York; given both the circumstances and opportunities, he readily accepted. Eventually, with his wife and children, he settled in Tuxedo Park. Here, he established the Domján Studio and where lived until his passing in 1992. In his early years, and during the Great Depression, Domján toured Europe with the desire to be engulfed by art. Previously, much of his time had been consumed with the work of both an engine fitter and foundry worker. After testing the waters of over 20 different professions, he discovered his passion in the arts. Later, during his European tour, he earned his way by selling a variety of works including both paintings and sketches. Post-depression, he returned to Hungry where he studied seven years at the Budapest Academy of Arts. Having spent an earlier portion of his life as a painter, Domján created his first woodcut in 1947 by using oil paint as opposed to printer’s ink. The result was stunning. This technique, becoming his signature style, would later set him apart from others within the trade. To create his pieces, Domján applied rich color, layer by layer, and lays claim to having “succeeded in bringing to the world something that had not existed before.” Ultimately, each print became three dimensional and gave the appearance of a painting. His technique has gained him international merit as well as the honor of receiving China’s “Master of the Color Wooodcut” award, a recognition given only once every century. The inspiration behind many of Domján’s woodcuts, coupled with his love of nature, is derived from Hungary’s brilliant folklore. The intricacy of his design is certainly his prominent element; however, their subtle coloring and abstract images contribute to his unique style. For the 59th Anniversary of composer Béla Bartók’s opera, Duke Bluebeard’s Castle, Domján used the opera’s profound imagery to create a series of woodcuts. The work included an ominous castle, coiled snakes, smirking masks, elusive zodiac symbols, and the story’s forbidden key. In doing so, Domján was able to weave traditional folklore components into a fantastic piece of modernized art. His work is not only expressive of Hungarian folklore...

Participation in salons: Grand Prix International de Peinture, Cannes, France 1958 Jeune peinture, Paris, France 1960-65 Grands et jeunes d'aujourd'hui, France 1960-85 des Beaux-Arts, Paris, France 1960-65 Comparaisons, Paris, France 1980 de Montrouge, France 1980-83 Nissan Engel's works are found in numerous private and public collections, including the following: Abright-Knox Museum, Buffalo, New York Bridgeston Museum, Tokyo The Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, Michigan Elf Atochem Corporation, Paris Fresno Art Museum, Fresno, California The Jewish Museum, New York City Muscarelle Museum of Art, Williamsburg, Virginia Neuberger Museum of Art, State University of New York at Purchase Schlumberger Foundation, Paris Weizman Institute, Rehovot, Israel Nissan Engel graduated from the Beaux-Arts Bezalel in Jerusalem before receiving a diploma from the Centre Dramatic de L'Est in Strasbourg, France. He began his career designing costumes and sets for the theater in Paris. Engel moved to New York City in 1965 following a series of successful gallery exhibitions. His early work in Paris and New York was characteristic of his academic training and his subject matter was predominately figural and representational. He returned to Paris in 1975, and inspired by a flea market find of old sheet music...

Procession Of A Daimyo - Original Woodblock Print Original woodblock print depicting the procession of a Daimyo. Ten Japanese soldiers are seen as they aid in transporting the Daimy...

** Larger prints are available for purchase. Please feel free to contact us if you're interested. Enchanted by the intricate symphony of nature's rhythms, the alluring dance of urba...