Bodley Gallery

Bezalel Schatz, born and educated in Jerusalem, was formerly an expressionist in the German tradition. In his latest paintings on view the second half of this month at the Bodley Gallery, he has moved far into the field of abstracted symbolism, and his individual search for security has evolved into a preoccupation with the merciful womb and its foetus. Humans crouching in prenatal attitudes are nested in somber caverns bounded by lighter areas of scumbled paint, or stretched and twisted they form the border and harbor a bird. Sometimes fossilized fish, masks and atavistic man, images enter the fray, all oddly or intentionally symbols of origin. Schatz is deeply involved with a spiritual philosophy.

-Rosalind Browne-

Paintings by Bezalel Schatz, Israeli artist, are at the Bodley gallery, showing how far from an early classical style he has come since his early exhibits in this country. Characterized by dynamic color expressions of vaguely natural and high-keyed fantasy, some of the best of his work is to be seen in illustrations for the Henry Miller book, "Into the Night Life." This and other work, produced in California since Mr. Schatz first settled there during the war, is considerably uneven in performance — ranging from abstract impressions of giddy virtuosity to intense clustered forms suggesting cross-sections of flora or minerals. C.B.

-N.Y. Herald Tribune-

Originally published: 24/11/1950