Alexander (Alexandre) Bercowitch, Landscape with Lake, Circa 1940

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This artwork "Landscape with Lake" C.1940 is a pastel on paper by noted Russian/Canadian artist Alexander (Alexandre) Bercovitch, 1891-1951. It … Read more This artwork "Landscape with Lake" C.1940 is a pastel on paper by noted Russian/Canadian artist Alexander (Alexandre) Bercovitch, 1891-1951. It is signed at the lower right corner by the artist. The artwork size is 17 x 23.25 inches, framed is 23.75 x 30.15 inches. The artwork is in excellent condition, the frame is damaged and will be replaced by a new similar frame before shipping.

About the artist.


Alexander Bercovitch was born in Kherson, Russia in 1891. In 1926 he moved to Montreal, Canada. He is known for a vibrant, expressionist painting style. His landscapes also show the strong influence of impressionism. His mediums are pastel, gouache, watercolour and oil. As a child he apprenticing in icon-painting with monks. He also studied at Jerusalem's Art School of Bezalel, the Munich Academy of Fine Arts, and the Bakst-Dobujiinsky school and Stiglitz Academy, both in St. Petersburg. He worked in Odessa and Moscow painting stage decorations, before moving to Turkestan to teach art. He was influenced by the German Symbolist Franz von Stuck, as well as David Burliuk, co-founder of the Russian Primitivist movement and Wassily Kandinsky. After moving to Montreal he worked in decorative painting and set design. In 1927 he participated in the annual Spring Show of the Art Association of Montreal, and in 1933 held his first solo exhibition. He is a founding member of The Eastern Group of Painters and the Contemporary Arts Society (CAS), associating with Louis Muhlstock, John Lyman, Jack Humphrey, Philip Surrey, Goodridge Roberts and Jori Smith, as well as Marc-Aurèle Fortin. He was also an influential art teacher at the YWHA, Montreal's Jewish community centre. His students included Moe Reinblatt, Gitta Caiserman-Roth, Rita Briansky and Ester Wertheimer. He made numerous painting trips to Gaspé and later Val Morin in the Laurentians. His works are in the collections of several museums including The National Gallery of Canada, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Quebec City.His art and influence is discussed in several books on Canadian art. In addition there is the Robert Adams book The Life and Work of Alexander Bercovitch published in 1988 by Editions Marlowe, Montreal. His work is held in public and private collections worldwide. He died in 1951. See less