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Dr Nahum Goldmann (1895-1982)

Artist: Schotz, Benno, RSA · 1891-1984

Dr Nahum Goldmann (1895-1982)

The work depicts the Lithuanian-born Zionist Dr Nahum Goldmann (1895-1982) co-founder with the American Dr Stephen Wise of the World Jewish Congress…

The work depicts the Lithuanian-born Zionist Dr Nahum Goldmann (1895-1982) co-founder with the American Dr Stephen Wise of the World Jewish Congress in Geneva in 1936, of which he served as President from 1951-78. Often critical of Israel and her politicians Goldmann saw himself as the spokesperson of the wider Jewish Diaspora. His greatest achievement was committing West and East Germany to pay reparations to victims of Nazism and to Israel. One of his greatest regrets being his failure to warn enough Jews of the threat of Nazism, from as early as 1932, and which outspoken views forced him to flee Germany in 1934. He moved to the USA in 1940 andsubsequently re-settled in Europe..https://www.nytimes.com/1982/08/31/obituaries/nahum-goldmann-a-leader-zionist-dies-at-87.html

Portrait bust of a powerful middle-aged male head, clean shaven with a sharp nose and a full head of hair.

The work was cast in bronze for the sitter’s family. The present terracotta version was included in the Benno Schotz Studio Sale, 1997-09-24 held by Christies Scotland at 164-166 Bath Street, Glasgow, lot 54 (est £300-500, unsold) and retains the sale ticket attached to the plinth.

© Royal Scottish Academy of Art & Architecture