his oil painting on wood by Franz Xaver Weber (1829–1887) portrays a vivid and intimate scene of Jewish scholarly life, set in a 19th-century Eastern European context. The composition centers on three men, deeply engaged in discussion, seated around a wooden table with open holy books in front of them. Their clothing, including traditional hats such as the shtreimel and yarmulke, suggests a connection to Hassidic traditions.
The room is modestly furnished, with a small shelf in the background holding books, a hat, and other personal items, adding to the sense of a lived-in study space. The soft, warm lighting and earthy tones of the painting evoke a sense of intellectual seriousness and camaraderie. The expressive gestures and attentive postures of the figures convey the intensity and depth of their dialogue, emphasizing themes of study, debate, and learning central to Jewish tradition.
Weber’s detailed technique and ability to capture human emotion give the work a timeless quality, celebrating both the cultural and spiritual essence of his subjects.
Signed lower left.
12 1/4 x 10 " not including frame
21 1/2 x 19 3/8" with frame
Good Condition, frame has some chips at the edges.
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