Castel, Moshe

(1909-1992)

Moshe Elazar Castel born in Jerusalem in 1909, to his father Rabbi Yehuda Castel and his mother Rachel. Descendant of a Spanish family which came from Castiie to establish themselves in Israel in 1492.
The family lived for many generations in Hebron. His father Rabbi Yehuda Castel who was born in Hebron was a scholar and outstanding Herbalist, wrote parchment and Torah scrolls.
He arrived in Paris in 1927 with the help of his brother Yosef.
Attended the Academie Julien and studied at the Louvre Museum.
After 13 years of work in Paris, he returned to Israel in 1940, settled in
Safed a medieval town of Zohar and Kaballa.
He is awarded in 1946 the Dizengoff Prize on behalf of the Tel-Aviv Municipality.
In 1947, he initiates and founds, together with other painters and sculptors the
group "New Horizons" ("Offakim Hadashim").In 1959, he came to Paris, acquired a studio in Montparnasse where he spends a few months every year.
He awarded prize "Premier do Estado" at the Sao Paulo Biennale, Brazil.
1928/40 Participates in individual and group exhibitions in well known galleries and "salons" in Paris.
1955 Exhibition on the entire top floor of the Tel Aviv Museum. This was the first exhibition of abstract art in Israel Mural painting (9 x 4 m) for Hotel Accadia. Israel Mural painting for "El Al" offices at Rockefeller Center, New York.
1958 Mural glass painting "Face to the Future" (18x3.5 m) at the National Convention Center. Jerusalem.
1966 Executed a large basalt mural painting "Glory to Jerusalem" (7 x 3 m) for the Knesset (Israel Parliament) in Jerusalem.
1970/71 Executes two large basalt mural-paintings for the ceremonial hall of the Presidential Mansion in Jerusalem. "Wall of Glory to Jerusalem" and Golden Scroll".
1984 "Portrait of an artist" Moshe Castel - Israel Film Service producer.
1984/85 Years of Creativity: 1924-1984 - Jubilee Exhibition at the Knesset the House of Parliament, in Jerusalem.
1989 Opening Exhibition of Beer-Sheva Museum of Israeli Art.
1987 Yurek Gallery, Ramat Hasharon Dania Art Gallery, Haifa.

You can find some of Moshe Castel's sculptures in our web site's Sculptures Section.