Biography
Théo Tobiasse (1927-2012) was a French painter, engraver, designer and sculptor, known for his works centered on biblical themes, Women and Exile, often enriched with his "pictorial words".
Born on April 26, 1927 in Jaffa, Mandatory Palestine, Théo Tobiasse is the youngest son of Chaïm Eidesas and Brocha Slonimsky, originally from Lithuania. His family emigrated to Paris in 1931 to escape the troubles of Eastern Europe. From a young age, he showed a talent for drawing and painting, marked by his encounter with the work of Raoul Dufy at the 1937 World's Fair.
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The Second World War and Jewish persecution turned his life upside down. After surviving the Vélodrome d'Hiver roundup in 1942, he began his career as an advertising graphic designer after the Liberation, working for renowned institutions such as Hermès. In 1947, he married Fajga Goldfarb and obtained French nationality in 1950. The need for light and freedom led him to settle in Nice.
Théo Tobiasse began painting seriously in the 1960s. He won several prizes, including the Young Mediterranean Painting Prize in 1961, and exhibited in Paris, Geneva, Tokyo and New York. His works evolved towards personal themes linked to his childhood memories, the Holocaust and exile. He also explored various techniques such as carborundum engraving, lithography and stained glass.
From the 1980s, he settled in New York while continuing to work in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. His works in the United States are characterized by luminous themes and family portraits. He continues to explore new techniques and creates monumental works, including the sculpture "Venus" installed in Saint-Paul-de-Vence in 2007. He travels frequently and his creations include stained glass windows and sculptures for various institutions.
Théo Tobiasse died on November 3, 2012 in Cagnes-sur-Mer. His artistic legacy is celebrated through retrospective exhibitions and the publication of his sketchbooks. In 2000, the Museum of Fine Arts in Menton dedicated a major retrospective to him, and his work continues to be recognized and studied through graphic editions and publications.
Théo Tobiasse is recognized for his personal and emotional exploration of biblical themes, exile and women. His varied works, ranging from painting to sculpture, engraving and stained glass, bear witness to his artistic commitment and his quest for light and freedom. His creations continue to touch the public and are exhibited in various museums and galleries around the world.
His legacy is preserved through retrospective exhibitions and publications that highlight his lasting impact on contemporary art.
