Studienkopf.

KRESTIN, LAZAR.

Austrian, 1868-1938

Oil on canvas. Signed upper right. Signed and titled on label in artist’s hand on verso. Elaborate gilt frame, produced by the artist(?)

Kovno-born Lazar Krestin was one of the most prominent students of the Isidor Kaufman, and like his mentor, painted many portraits and genre scenes of European Jewish life. The great French Impressionists were very influential as can be seen in the present portrait. Like Renoir, Krestin’s execution of his subject freely utilizes brushed strokes of color, whereby the painted figure softly fuses with its surroundings.