Page 30 - Studio International - June 1965

1

1 works, and of the mysterious relationship they enjoy least taint of pollution. But the spiritual anguish that is
Figure 186 1963
Collection: Ned L. Pines. New York with the art of Rembrandt-a painter who transfigured released from these works is much, much stronger-a
the most austere subject-matter, and, sometimes, even much, much heavier burden to bear.
2
Figure 46 the most hostile; who allowed it a sumptuous surface This new artistic adventure is not necessarily any
and an irradiation of light-the glimmering of gold for indication of the paths he will choose in the future, for
the most severe of themes. Lebenstein is without any premeditation; he is a man
For some time now, Lebenstein has kept to a series of without any a priori system; what is to come will be the
axial figures like animals hacked apart, like skins expression of his absolute freedom to choose that which
stretched and opened: very metamorphoses of the is to come. He is a man who cannot choose by pre­
spirit of animation. In his most recent works he attempts selection the events that are to affect his very soul.
a more figurative style; but it is essentially of the same But one can now be sure of one thing, and that is that
kind, with imaginary animals that are rendered this particular painter has chosen aright; for his choice
immobile and hallucinatory like fossils from the past: of absolute freedom is one that will delight his dreams
these are disquieting intermediaries between the to come. Lebenstein has invented for himself an
animal and vegetable kingdoms. alchemy of matter that is given actuality beyond con­
Jan Lebenstein is
represented in Paris Perhaps his hidden and deepest soul is shown in the ventional formulas. Lebenstein knows the path travelled
by Galerie Lacloche series of compositions entitled Intimate Notebook by the very greatest figures in the painting of the past:
where he has exhibited where the nightmare vision is now even more an his art has achieved in its transmutation the most
since 1959 aggressive sexual phantasy, though there is never the prodigious results. ■
?44