- Artist
- Robert Helman 1910–1990
- Medium
- Oil paint on canvas
- Dimensions
- Support: 797 × 797 mm
frame: 1020 × 1020 × 80 mm - Collection
- Tate
- Acquisition
- Presented by Mr and Mrs Alexander Margulies 1959
- Reference
- T00303
Catalogue entry
Robert Helman born 1910
T00303 Candile
(Hanukkah Lamp) 1956
Inscribed 'HELMAN' b.l. and 'Chandelier | HELMAN | 1956' on back of canvas
Oil on canvas, 31 3/8 x 31 3/8 (79.5 x 79.5)
Presented by Mr and Mrs Alexander Margulies 1959
Prov:
Mr and Mrs Alexander Margulies, London (purchased from the artist)
Lit:
Denys Chevalier, 'Robert Helman' in XXe Siècle, No.14, 1960, pp.38-40
The artist has confirmed that the original title of this picture is 'Candile'. This is a name given to the Jewish ritual objects usually known in English as Hanukkah lamps.
'At that period', he wrote, 'I worked for two years on a series of paintings entitled "Hebrew Series" in which I developed the complexity and reciprocal influence of Hebrew writing, of life, and the objects of life - It was, moreover, from this that was developed the whole evolution of graphic and gestural expression which has persisted in my work up to this day' (letter of July 1960).
Published in:
Ronald Alley, Catalogue of the Tate Gallery's Collection of Modern Art other than Works by British Artists, Tate Gallery and Sotheby Parke-Bernet, London 1981, p.361, reproduced p.361