Dancing Jew Judaica Painting by Henryc Hechtkopf

🖼️ Item Description

This artwork is an original painting by Henryk (Henryc) Hechtkopf (1910–2004), a prominent Polish-Israeli artist, Holocaust survivor, and illustrator known for his depictions of Jewish folklife, biblical themes, and expressive portraits of Eastern European Jewry.

• Title (informal): Dancing Jew
• Artist: Henryk Hechtkopf (signed both in English and in Hebrew)
• Medium: Likely gouache or watercolor on paper (visible texture, pigment cracking, and tonal style consistent with gouache)
• Size:
  • Artwork (unframed): 14" x 10.5"
  • Framed: 15.8" x 12.5"
• Framing: Simple gold frame, no glass (recommend re-framing with archival glass for preservation)
• Condition: Good, with light surface cracking and some mild warping or wear due to age and no glass cover
• Style: Figurative folk expressionism, common in Judaica works of the post-war era
• Subject Matter: A joyful Hasidic man dancing in a whimsical shtetl village, expressive of spiritual resilience and cultural joy

🧑‍🎨 About the Artist: Henryk Hechtkopf

• Born in Warsaw, Poland, 1910.
• Survived Nazi persecution and Soviet imprisonment, later immigrated to Israel, where he became a prolific artist and illustrator.
• His work often honors Jewish traditions and pre-war Eastern European life.
• Illustrated more than 200 books, including Hebrew children’s literature and religious texts.
• Exhibited in Israel, Europe, and the U.S.

🔍 Artwork Analysis

This piece is a classic example of Hechtkopf’s Judaic genre scenes:

• Warmth and character: Captures the enduring joy and spirit of Jewish life post-WWII.
• Cultural value: Evokes nostalgia and spiritual endurance, making it emotionally resonant for Jewish collectors.
• Stylistic markers: Distinctive soft palette, exaggerated features, joyous movement—all key Hechtkopf traits.
• Signatures: Both English and Hebrew signatures help confirm authenticity (frequently done by Hechtkopf for international audiences).

💰 Market Value Estimate (2025)

While prices for Hechtkopf originals are not widely published, his Judaica genre paintings have sold via:

• Kedem Auctions (Jerusalem)
• eBay and private Judaica collectors
• Online Judaica art dealers
  Comparable sales show prices typically ranging:

Type

Market Value Estimate

Original watercolor/gouache (small, signed)

$300 – $800 USD

Framed, excellent condition, Judaic theme

$600 – $1,200 USD

Large or complex originals

$1,500+ USD

This specific piece, in good condition, likely falls in the $600–$900 USD range for insurance or resale value.

🧾 Provenance and Authentication

• Provenance: Found in a thrift store for $7 CAD (remarkable find).
• Authenticity: Based on signature, subject, style, and comparison to known works (like this one you linked), this appears to be an authentic original.
• For formal confirmation: consider a professional authentication or a written appraisal from:
  • Kedem Auctions
  • Judaica art appraisers or Israeli fine art specialists

✅ Recommendations

• Preservation: Reframe with UV-protective glass and acid-free matting to slow deterioration.
• Insurance: Insure at $750–$900 USD valuation for now.
• Documentation: Keep high-resolution photos and a printout of this appraisal as part of provenance.
• Professional Appraisal: Optional, unless planning to insure at high value or sell at auction.