Moses Bagel (Lithuanian, 1908-1995) The Pioneers each signed in Latin 'M Bagel 62' (lower left) oil on canvas 145 x 75cm (57 1/16 x 29 1/2in). (2) Footnotes: Provenance Acquired directly from the artist's studio Collection of Nadine Nieszawer, Paris Exhibited Jewish Artists of the School of Paris, Artcurial Vienna - Artcurial Brussels - Artcurial Paris, 2015 Literature Jewish Artists of the School of Paris 1905-1939, Somogy Editions d'Art, Paris, 2015, p. 55 Bagel, born Moses Bagelferyches, developed an interest in painting at an early age. He started taking evening classes at the Vilnius Academy of Arts and joined the Yung Vilno, a group which was formed by young artists, Yiddish writers and poets. In 1927, he left for Germany where he joined the Bauhaus school in Dessau. From 1928 to 1932, he studied under Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky, and Lyonel Feininger. In 1933, Bagel moved to Paris where following the outbreak of World War II in 1939, he enlisted in the French army. He was later discharged from service and worked for an architect in Toulouse. After the end of the war, Bagel returned to Paris working in set design for the Yiddish art theatre company YIKUM and as an illustrator for numerous Yiddish journals, such as Presse Nouvelle (New Press), Droit et Liberté (Law and Freedom), La Semaine Juive (The Jewish Week), A Nouveau (Once Again). He also illustrated several books including Montre by Sholem Aleichem. In 1959, UNESCO commissioned Bahelfer to produce a series of fifteen large paintings commemorating Sholem Aleichem. After the exhibition of the works at UNESCO in Paris, they were donated to the Sholem Aleichem foundation in Tel Aviv. Following the UNESCO commission, Bagel realized The Pioneers diptych in celebration of the 100th anniversary since the birth of Sholem Aleichem. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: AR AR Goods subject to Artists Resale Right Additional Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com