Moshe Castel (1909 – 1991)

Moshe Castel was an Israeli painter. He was born in Jerusalem and studied at the "Bezalel" academy for the arts and at the Art Academy in Paris, in which he worked for many years (1925 – 1940). His early works consisted of scenery and portraits of colorful Israeli characters in an Eastern motive. In later years he adapted abstract elements into his work, designing formal symbols similar to the works of Joan Miro. An example for this work can be seen in his 1955 fresco found at the Accadia Hotel in Herzliya. His works can also be found in the “El-Al” offices at Rockefeller Center in New York (fresco), Churchill Auditorium at the Technion in Haifa (painting), Ceremonial hall at the President’s Residence (two works in basalt), and another painting hangs at the entrance to the Government meeting room in the Knesset. Castel was awarded with the Dizengoff Prize (1945–1946) and the "Premio del Estado" award in Sao Paulo, Brazil (1959). "A Song of Praise to Jerusalem" by Moshe Castel located on the second floor of the original Knesset building