Sacha Moldovan (Shaya Shnayder;[1] November 4, 1901 – 1982) was a Russian-born American expressionist and post-impressionist painter.
Biography
Born to a Jewish family in Kishinev, Bessarabia (in Imperial Russia), where his parents Gdal Shnayder and Bunya Moldovan got married in 1891. He immigrated to the United States, studied in Paris, and became unyieldingly devoted to his work throughout his years.
Moldovan is known to have worked with many other artists, including Henri Matisse and Chaïm Soutine. The noted art critic Marla Berg once said of Moldavan,[2] "Had van Gogh painted Matisse's pictures while dreaming of Chagall, the result would have been the works of Sacha Moldovan". Alongside these artists, he was influenced by Chaïm Soutine, and Pierre Bonnard.
The highest price every paid for a Moldovan was $50,000 for original sold by Hammer Galleries at a one-man show in Manhattan (1991). Moldovan has one daughter, Wendy Moldovan, who today retains many of Sacha's works.
Moldovan's great-nephew, Jonathan Herbert, is also painter. He works in a studio in Brooklyn, NY.
Selected works
- The Woods
- Garden Fence
- Blue Teapot
- Sailboats in a Harbor
- Onions
- An Evening Stroll
- Park Bench
- Men Coming and Going
- Veronique Reading
References
- ↑ Jacob Baal-Teshuva. «Moldovan». New York - Paris: Museum International Book, 1990. Birth records for Shaya Shnayder are also available at JewishGen.org.
- ↑ Mother's maiden name, as well as names of her father, brother, and sisters, are all listed as Moldavan (birth and marriage data are available at JewishGen.org).
