This landmark publication unveils Aizenshtat as an important chronicler of Jewish life, one of the most compelling and previously overlooked voices in contemporary painting. Bringing together over one hundred works, this volume offers the first comprehensive introduction to his practice and positions the book as a major artistic discovery.

Based in Israel, Aizenshtat has developed what he calls “metaphysical expressionism”—a painterly language defined by vivid color, symbolic intensity, and a sustained engagement with the fundamental questions of faith, exile, and belonging. His monumental compositions move between the allegorical and the existential, rendering the complexities of contemporary life through a visual language that is at once deeply personal and universally resonant. Built around the enduring structures of human connection, the paintings function as fables of modern life, addressing its inequities, tensions, and fleeting moments of grace. 

Historical consciousness is central to the work. Among the most significant works included in this volume is a series addressing Aktion T4, the Nazi program that targeted individuals with physical and mental disabilities—paintings that confront one of the most devastating chapters of modern history with unflinching clarity.

About The Author

Alexander Aizenshtat is a painter and lives in Israel. Blake Gopnik is a writer based in New York and served for a decade as the art critic of The Washington Post. Max Lakin writes about culture, art, fashion, and New York City. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Artforum, New York, and W, among others. Editor Eric Fitoussi is a prominent art expert, collector, and founder of Applicat-Prazan Gallery in Paris.