I have bought and sold several paintings by Charles Rabin (1897-1983) over the past several years--found one by one and each a total joy to me--so continue to keep a close eye out for his work. Two by him today, both purchased from a seller in Pennsylvania, which seems to be where his work most often turns up. What I know, straight from the artist's daughter, is that Rabin did not begin painting until he was 70 (with paints left over from a paint by numbers kit), and had no formal training. Born in Warsaw Poland, he emigrated to the U.S. by way of England as a young man and settled in Brooklyn, making his living as a sample maker in the garment industry, then later running a poultry farm in Elmer, New Jersey. Late in life, upon the coaxing of his family, his work was exhibited at a series of venues around New Jersey and in a solo show at the Socrates Parakis Gallery in Philadelphia.

Once familiar with them, Rabin's paintings are instantly recognizable, but I find each very much its own thing, and they feel like a whole worlds to me, with a lushness and energy and great sense joy, but also perhaps a little melancholy or loneliness too--here this solitary little man sitting outside his cabin, looking as if he might have a tiny silver crown on his head, perhaps waiting from someone to come find him! To me his paintings are also exceptionally good ones to live with, offering lots of space into which to imagine narratives, and project oneself.

14 3/4" x 12" framed as found. Painting itself, oil on board, 12" x 9". Very good condition, c. 1970s.