Sh'ma
Sh'ma
Sh'ma

Sh'ma

Object number2023.110.3
Artist (born 1907)
Date1991
MediumOil on canvas board; Oil paint; Canvas; Wood; Metal; Paper; Ink; Adhesive
Credit LineGift of Beth Israel Congregation
DescriptionFramed rectangular oil painting on canvas board. Abstract artwork is executed in bright colors with defined curvilinear polychrome forms in the foreground and a less defined polychrome background; colors include red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, white, and black. Brown wooden frame has white painted canvas mat with interior gold beveled trim and exterior rounded gold edge. Frame's reverse is covered in brown backing paper.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (Framed): 30 x 23.938 x 1.875 in. (76.2 x 60.8 x 4.8 cm)
Height x Width (Sight size): 23.5 x 17.5 in. (59.7 x 44.5 cm)
SignedArtist signature painted in black in the viewer's bottom left corner "Jacob Gains / 91".
InscriptionsReverse has white paper adhered to the to center with black printed text including "JACOB GAINS' CRAFTSMANSHIP IS FOUNDED UPON THOROUGH TRAINING IN / DESIGN AND CREATIVE PAINTING. HIS GAMUT RUNS FROM PORTRAITURE TO / NON OBJECTIVE CREATIONS. HIS WORKS ARE EXECUTED IN OILS, ACRYLICS / WATERCOLOR, WOODCUTS, ETCHINGS AND COLLAGE. / [artist education and accomplishments including featured exhibitions, collections, and awards]".
MarksReverse has white paper adhered to the viewer's top left corner with black printed and handwritten text "ATTACH TO BACK OF WORK / Name JACOB GAINS / Address 2005 HYTHE-A / City BOCA RATON FL Zip 33434 / Title HEED / Medium OIL Price 1,200".
Historical NotesPainting entitled "Sh'ma" or "Heed" by Jacob Gains. Part of a collection from Beth Israel Congregation in Washington, Pennsylvania. Jacob Gains (1907- ) was born in Lithuania and eventually immigrated to the United States. His parents, Rabbi Zusman and Feige Ginsberg, became the spiritual leaders of the Jewish community of Canonsburg while much of his remaining family remained in Europe and was killed during the Holocaust. Gains studied at the National Academy of Art in New York, the New York School of Fine and Applied Art, and the Academia Nacional DeSan Alejandro in Havana. Gains donated this painting, titled “Sh’ma” to Beth Israel Congregation in Washington, Pa., in memory of his deceased parents and siblings. Beth Israel Congregation was founded in Washington, Pa. in 1890. The congregation initially rented meeting space until dedicating a synagogue in the downtown area in 1902. With the growth of the local Jewish community, the congregation dedicated a new synagogue in 1955 designed by Alexander Sharove. Spiritual leaders of the congregation include Rabbi Jacob Goldfarb, Rabbi Maxwell Berger, Rabbi Israel Goodman, Rabbi Jakob Patuchowski, Rabbi Jacob Sober, Rabbi Daniel Lowy, Rabbi Marc E. Samuals, Rabbi David J. Matzner, Rabbi Aryeh Weinman, and Rabbi Albert A. Goldman. As the Jewish population of Washington County began to decline starting the 1960s, Beth Israel Congregation increasingly became the home of Jewish families in nearby communities, such as Canonsburg.
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