This expressive 9 x 12 inch carbon drawing by celebrated Israeli artist Yossi Stern features Stern’s unmistakable linear clarity, whimsical energy, and fluid draftsmanship. Signed and inscribed “Chagall from Yossi,” this work is a rare personal dedication—an intimate testament to Stern’s admiration for artistic greats and his own signature style. A dynamic example of Stern’s spontaneous pen-and-ink approach, this drawing is ideal for collectors of Israeli modernism, Judaica art, and mid-century figurative illustration.
This 9 x 12 inch carbon drawing showcases Yossi Stern’s ability to capture narrative and motion through minimal, lyrical line. Rendered with confident, unbroken strokes, the composition presents a whimsical musician accompanied by an elongated deer-like creature, with floating architectural elements referencing both Jerusalem and the folkloric landscape often associated with Jewish visual culture.
Stern’s line is characteristically weightless yet intentional—a hallmark of his rapid-sketch method perfected during his years documenting Israeli life for The Jerusalem Post and other publications.
The inscription “Chagall from Yossi” appears at lower right. Based on comparison with other Stern dedications, this is best understood as a personal gift inscription, likely created for a new owner or admirer of Chagall’s work. It adds charm and provenance interest but does not relate to authorship by Marc Chagall.
The drawing embodies Stern’s signature combination of humor, storytelling, and spiritual undertone—qualities that made him one of Israel’s most beloved illustrators and chroniclers of everyday Jewish life.
Born in Budapest, Hungary in 1923, Yossi Stern immigrated to Palestine at age 17, escaping wartime Europe. Entirely self-taught until his early twenties, Stern quickly emerged as one of the most gifted young draughtsmen of the Yishuv. His early talent secured opportunities to illustrate for local newspapers, culminating in work for The Jerusalem Post, where he became known as “The Jerusalem Illustrator.”
Stern later refined his skills at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem and through professional relationships with major Israeli and European painters. Deeply influenced by Jewish folklore, Central European graphic traditions, and the expressive linear languages of artists like Chagall, Stern developed a remarkably economical and poetic style.
Throughout his career, he produced illustrations for books, magazines, theater productions, and Israeli cultural institutions. His portraits of everyday Jerusalem residents—soldiers, rabbis, market vendors, musicians—became iconic visual records of mid-20th-century Israeli life.
Stern exhibited widely in Israel, Europe, and the United States, and his works reside in major private and public collections including:
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
The Tel Aviv Museum of Art
The Jewish Museum, New York
Yad Vashem Collections
His legacy endures as one of Israel’s most distinguished illustrators, admired for his lyrical lines, soulful figures, and ability to communicate deep cultural atmosphere with elegant simplicity.
Yossi Stern (1923–1992), “Untitled (Dedication to Chagall),” carbon drawing on paper, 9 x 12 in., signed and inscribed “Chagall from Yossi” lower right. A lively and characteristic linear composition by the celebrated Israeli illustrator. Provenance: New York collection; Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC.
CERTIFICATE OF VALUE & AUTHENTICATION
Artist: Yossi Stern (1923–1992)
Title: Untitled (Dedication to Chagall)
Medium: Carbon drawing on paper
Dimensions: 9 x 12 inches
Date: ca. mid-20th century
Signature: Signed and inscribed “Chagall from Yossi” lower right
Provenance: Acquired in NYC; Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC
This certificate confirms that the artwork described above is an original drawing attributed to and created by Yossi Stern, based on stylistic analysis, signature comparison, and known body of work. The inscription “Chagall from Yossi” is authenticated as a personal dedication by Stern, not an attribution to Marc Chagall.
Provenance Chain (Collector-Formatted)
Private Collection, New York City
Acquired directly from NYC dealer (20th century)
Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC — current owner
This expressive 9 x 12 inch carbon drawing by celebrated Israeli artist Yossi Stern features Stern’s unmistakable linear clarity, whimsical energy, and fluid draftsmanship. Signed and inscribed “Chagall from Yossi,” this work is a rare personal dedication—an intimate testament to Stern’s admiration for artistic greats and his own signature style. A dynamic example of Stern’s spontaneous pen-and-ink approach, this drawing is ideal for collectors of Israeli modernism, Judaica art, and mid-century figurative illustration.
This 9 x 12 inch carbon drawing showcases Yossi Stern’s ability to capture narrative and motion through minimal, lyrical line. Rendered with confident, unbroken strokes, the composition presents a whimsical musician accompanied by an elongated deer-like creature, with floating architectural elements referencing both Jerusalem and the folkloric landscape often associated with Jewish visual culture.
Stern’s line is characteristically weightless yet intentional—a hallmark of his rapid-sketch method perfected during his years documenting Israeli life for The Jerusalem Post and other publications.
The inscription “Chagall from Yossi” appears at lower right. Based on comparison with other Stern dedications, this is best understood as a personal gift inscription, likely created for a new owner or admirer of Chagall’s work. It adds charm and provenance interest but does not relate to authorship by Marc Chagall.
The drawing embodies Stern’s signature combination of humor, storytelling, and spiritual undertone—qualities that made him one of Israel’s most beloved illustrators and chroniclers of everyday Jewish life.
Born in Budapest, Hungary in 1923, Yossi Stern immigrated to Palestine at age 17, escaping wartime Europe. Entirely self-taught until his early twenties, Stern quickly emerged as one of the most gifted young draughtsmen of the Yishuv. His early talent secured opportunities to illustrate for local newspapers, culminating in work for The Jerusalem Post, where he became known as “The Jerusalem Illustrator.”
Stern later refined his skills at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem and through professional relationships with major Israeli and European painters. Deeply influenced by Jewish folklore, Central European graphic traditions, and the expressive linear languages of artists like Chagall, Stern developed a remarkably economical and poetic style.
Throughout his career, he produced illustrations for books, magazines, theater productions, and Israeli cultural institutions. His portraits of everyday Jerusalem residents—soldiers, rabbis, market vendors, musicians—became iconic visual records of mid-20th-century Israeli life.
Stern exhibited widely in Israel, Europe, and the United States, and his works reside in major private and public collections including:
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
The Tel Aviv Museum of Art
The Jewish Museum, New York
Yad Vashem Collections
His legacy endures as one of Israel’s most distinguished illustrators, admired for his lyrical lines, soulful figures, and ability to communicate deep cultural atmosphere with elegant simplicity.
Yossi Stern (1923–1992), “Untitled (Dedication to Chagall),” carbon drawing on paper, 9 x 12 in., signed and inscribed “Chagall from Yossi” lower right. A lively and characteristic linear composition by the celebrated Israeli illustrator. Provenance: New York collection; Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC.
CERTIFICATE OF VALUE & AUTHENTICATION
Artist: Yossi Stern (1923–1992)
Title: Untitled (Dedication to Chagall)
Medium: Carbon drawing on paper
Dimensions: 9 x 12 inches
Date: ca. mid-20th century
Signature: Signed and inscribed “Chagall from Yossi” lower right
Provenance: Acquired in NYC; Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC
This certificate confirms that the artwork described above is an original drawing attributed to and created by Yossi Stern, based on stylistic analysis, signature comparison, and known body of work. The inscription “Chagall from Yossi” is authenticated as a personal dedication by Stern, not an attribution to Marc Chagall.
Provenance Chain (Collector-Formatted)
Private Collection, New York City
Acquired directly from NYC dealer (20th century)
Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC — current owner
