This original 9x12 pen-and-ink portrait, attributed to Yossi Stern, captures the expressive power of Stern’s minimalist contour style. A bearded man is rendered in profile with Stern’s characteristic blend of gentle caricature and refined European draftsmanship. The artist’s ability to convey emotion with just a handful of lines made him one of Israel’s most celebrated illustrators throughout the mid-20th century.
Born in Hungary and later known as “The Painter of Jerusalem,” Stern documented daily life, portrait studies, and character sketches with unmatched sensitivity. Acquired in New York City and consistent with Stern’s authenticated works, this drawing is offered by Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC.
Title:Portrait of a Bearded Man (Untitled Line Drawing)
Artist:Yossi Stern (1923–1992) — Attributed
Medium: Pen & Ink on Paper
Size: 9 x 12 inches
Acquired: New York City
Signature: Unsigned
Period: Mid–Late 20th Century
Style: Modernist Contour Drawing • Israeli Expressionism • Minimalist Caricature
This 9x12 pen-and-ink portrait features the unmistakable stylistic fingerprint of Yossi Stern. Executed with Stern’s signature economy of line, the composition portrays a bearded man in profile, his expression introspective and quietly dignified. The elongated facial features, expressive eyebrows, sharply angled beard strokes, and loose cross-hatching of the jacket all reflect Stern’s command of minimalism and gesture.
The portrait exudes Stern’s European training — reminiscent of mid-century caricature, expressionist portraiture, and the psychological simplicity of Steinberg or André François. Yet it is distinctly Stern in its blend of restraint and sensitivity: the few carefully placed lines reveal personality, posture, and quiet emotion.
This drawing belongs to Stern’s body of character studies, likely created during the 1950s–1970s when he produced hundreds of rapid portraits for journals, books, and personal sketch work.
Though unsigned, the decisive linework, proportion, and facial construction strongly align with authenticated Stern drawings.
Born in Debrecen, Hungary, Yossi Stern studied at the Debrecen Academy of Art before escaping to Jerusalem at age 17 due to growing antisemitic persecution. After arriving alone in 1940, Stern quickly emerged as one of the most gifted young illustrators of the British Mandate era.
Official IDF war artist during the 1948 War of Independence
Illustrator for major Israeli newspapers and journals
Poster and book illustrator
Documentarian of Jerusalem’s people and everyday life
Teacher of drawing and illustration
Exhibited at the Israel Museum, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Bezalel Academy exhibitions, and cultural institutions internationally
Stern's influences span:
Central European caricature
Expressionist draftsmanship
Modernist minimalism
Käthe Kollwitz’s humanistic restraint
Saul Steinberg’s contour wit
Known as “The Painter of Jerusalem,” Stern’s ability to distill personality and mood with a few lines remains central to his legacy.
Yossi Stern (1923–1992) — Attributed
Portrait of a Bearded Man
Pen & Ink on Paper, 9 x 12 in.
Unsigned; NYC acquisition.
Expressive minimalist portrait drawing characteristic of Stern’s mid-century contour style.
Artist: Yossi Stern (1923–1992) — Attributed
Title:Portrait of a Bearded Man (Untitled)
Medium: Pen & Ink on Paper
Size: 9 x 12 inches
Date: Mid–Late 20th Century
Signature: Unsigned
Origin: Acquired in New York City
Current Owner: Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC
Authentication Notes:
This drawing is unsigned but confidently attributed to Yossi Stern based on:
Strong stylistic and technical alignment
Characteristic facial proportion, line economy, and gesture
Provenance consistent with known Stern estate dispersals
Private Collection, New York City
Secondary Market, NYC
Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC — Present Owner
This original 9x12 pen-and-ink portrait, attributed to Yossi Stern, captures the expressive power of Stern’s minimalist contour style. A bearded man is rendered in profile with Stern’s characteristic blend of gentle caricature and refined European draftsmanship. The artist’s ability to convey emotion with just a handful of lines made him one of Israel’s most celebrated illustrators throughout the mid-20th century.
Born in Hungary and later known as “The Painter of Jerusalem,” Stern documented daily life, portrait studies, and character sketches with unmatched sensitivity. Acquired in New York City and consistent with Stern’s authenticated works, this drawing is offered by Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC.
Title:Portrait of a Bearded Man (Untitled Line Drawing)
Artist:Yossi Stern (1923–1992) — Attributed
Medium: Pen & Ink on Paper
Size: 9 x 12 inches
Acquired: New York City
Signature: Unsigned
Period: Mid–Late 20th Century
Style: Modernist Contour Drawing • Israeli Expressionism • Minimalist Caricature
This 9x12 pen-and-ink portrait features the unmistakable stylistic fingerprint of Yossi Stern. Executed with Stern’s signature economy of line, the composition portrays a bearded man in profile, his expression introspective and quietly dignified. The elongated facial features, expressive eyebrows, sharply angled beard strokes, and loose cross-hatching of the jacket all reflect Stern’s command of minimalism and gesture.
The portrait exudes Stern’s European training — reminiscent of mid-century caricature, expressionist portraiture, and the psychological simplicity of Steinberg or André François. Yet it is distinctly Stern in its blend of restraint and sensitivity: the few carefully placed lines reveal personality, posture, and quiet emotion.
This drawing belongs to Stern’s body of character studies, likely created during the 1950s–1970s when he produced hundreds of rapid portraits for journals, books, and personal sketch work.
Though unsigned, the decisive linework, proportion, and facial construction strongly align with authenticated Stern drawings.
Born in Debrecen, Hungary, Yossi Stern studied at the Debrecen Academy of Art before escaping to Jerusalem at age 17 due to growing antisemitic persecution. After arriving alone in 1940, Stern quickly emerged as one of the most gifted young illustrators of the British Mandate era.
Official IDF war artist during the 1948 War of Independence
Illustrator for major Israeli newspapers and journals
Poster and book illustrator
Documentarian of Jerusalem’s people and everyday life
Teacher of drawing and illustration
Exhibited at the Israel Museum, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Bezalel Academy exhibitions, and cultural institutions internationally
Stern's influences span:
Central European caricature
Expressionist draftsmanship
Modernist minimalism
Käthe Kollwitz’s humanistic restraint
Saul Steinberg’s contour wit
Known as “The Painter of Jerusalem,” Stern’s ability to distill personality and mood with a few lines remains central to his legacy.
Yossi Stern (1923–1992) — Attributed
Portrait of a Bearded Man
Pen & Ink on Paper, 9 x 12 in.
Unsigned; NYC acquisition.
Expressive minimalist portrait drawing characteristic of Stern’s mid-century contour style.
Artist: Yossi Stern (1923–1992) — Attributed
Title:Portrait of a Bearded Man (Untitled)
Medium: Pen & Ink on Paper
Size: 9 x 12 inches
Date: Mid–Late 20th Century
Signature: Unsigned
Origin: Acquired in New York City
Current Owner: Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC
Authentication Notes:
This drawing is unsigned but confidently attributed to Yossi Stern based on:
Strong stylistic and technical alignment
Characteristic facial proportion, line economy, and gesture
Provenance consistent with known Stern estate dispersals
Private Collection, New York City
Secondary Market, NYC
Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC — Present Owner
