Rabbi Painting by Artist David Pelbam
Two weeks ago I happened upon the painting shown above at my local thrift shop. When I first saw it I chuckled because the town where I live is not overly Jewish and as a matter of fact there are two prominent churches quit near each other in the town center. I put it aside and did not think twice, but when I paid a visit to the thrift shop yesterday the painting had been shoved into A dark corner and had been reduced from $20.00 to $10.00 and so I purchased it. I originally bought it for the frame but after a bit of research I found that I had an authentic work of art done by a local Rhode Island painter by the name of David Pelbam sometime between 1950-1960.
There is not much information available about this artist but apparently he was born in 1932 and was best known for painting portraits of dock workers, ship captains and rabbis, go figure.
If anyone knows anything about the artist or the rabbi featured above I would love to know more. For the time being he is hanging in my living room.
I have a David Pelbam painting. Got it for my wife’s birthday 28 yrs ago.
Bought it for 65 dollars, marked down from 90 dollars. Have seen one captain and one rabbi painting on E-bay. Asking price of either is around one thousand dollars. One site I visited said his paintings range in value from one hundred to twenty five hundred dollars. Good luck, or should I just say enjoy.
Joe.
Hi Joe,
I have gotten a few stories on David P. One is that a furniture shop hired a group of student painters to paint 50 paintings using the same face but different characters. My painting is numbered “25” on the back. The value is not a lot maybe $125.00 to $150.00 but after hanging the painting up, I have fallen in love with the Rabbi that Ihave. The paintings is very well done and I absolutely love it.
Thanks for commenting,
Patti
The value of a Pelbam Original Oil Painting can easily range in the thousands of dollars – depending on the quality of the work. Pelbam’s art has recently had a resurgence and people are really beginning to take note of Pelbam’s unique style. From what I hear, people are often drawn to the subject’s eyes in Pelbam paintings. I know once you’ve seen a Pelbam in the flesh, you really find his work to be quite amazing and its hard to take your eyes away from it. Congratulations to those who own one of these fantastic and phenomenal paintings! They are keepers!
I bought 4 framed Pelbam’s at a garage sale just last Friday. They are all of sailors and I LOVE them. The lady had them marked at $3, but I got 4 for $10. She had another, I should’ve bought that one too!
I Have a large oilpainting of a Rabbi holding a Menorah. It’s a great painting, the eyes follow me all around the study. I like it very much.
I am the owner of an orignal Pelbam oil painting of a rabbi. I bought this in Las Vegas in 1980. I am quite willing to sell it to the highest bidder. I live in Cape Town, South Africa.
I was given a David Pelbam painting by my mother. It is a large painting of an old man holding a basket of grapes. He is standing in a field. He is wearing a hat of course and his face is captivating. He looks tired and his eyes seem to follow you. You can see that the basket is heavy and you can see the detail of the veins in his arms as he is holding this basket. Awesome
I have a nice oil of london building green black white a little flag has blue white red that is the only color original frame of pelbam artist does any body know thisproduct
I had an old friend who was a professional framer for the Prague National Museum for many years. He fled Czechoslovakia with his family and some art work, just before it fell to the communists in the 50’s. I have two of Pelbam’s works (a rabbi and a sea captain). My friend once told me, that it was his information that Pelbam’s heritage was of Austrian descent, even though he painted in the States. I love his art work very much, and would not part with either painting.!
I just purchased a painting signed Van Meer. After much reading there seems to be a lot of “copies” out theere. Would any of you have a genuine signature of Pelbams? When were these “knock offs” produced. Any info is greatly appreciated. Please e-mail me. Anna
I recently received a David Pelbam oil painting, and wondering some info. on it. I have search and search online for any info. and have not come across anything like this. I have found Rabbi and sailor in all searches. But…… This oil painting is different. The man in picture has short beard,green hat, green blazer, and a red tie, and a (german?) beer mug in hand. The authentic signature is on the lower lefthand corner. Anyone have any ideas about this painting, would be greatly helpful!
Thanks
You probably have a David pelbaum, justlike the rest ofus. There are two stories, read above. it seems that there are a few paintings that go off the beaten path of style for this “artist”. Hope you find more info. If possible, please send photo.
Patti
This is the eBay item for the David Pelbam: 170658173163
This is so you can look at pic. of the oil painting.
Thanks
I recently was given an original Pelbam painting. From what I have researched it must be one of him towards the end of his life as it is definately the same man but older, he is not a sea captain, rabbi or wearing any type of costume. He has a darker wine color shawl (?) around his sholders and has the dark background. I feel in love with it the minute I saw it and totally agree with everyone, there is something about the eyes.
If anyone can tell me how to add a photo of it here I will.
I also have an unusual original large Pelbam. It has a very dark background and I believe he is wearing a black cloak or jacket with some sort of metal fasteners on one side. There is a barely visible long chain hanging around his neck. I have always called him “Henry” because his hat reminds me of Henry VIII’s velvet hat with metal beading or small gems around the bottom. His beard is mostly brown with some gray by the ear. I would really love to find out the occupation or personage of this character.
People
I have also a portrait of a Rabi with a Shofar.
He’s now at home , in S Paulo – Brasil.
It’s really a wonderfull portrait !
David
I bought my first Pelbam painting 1.5 years ago and have bought 5 since. I have sea captains, Rabbi, and german men with feather hats. If people want to get rid of them just send me an email.
I just got a pelbam in a auction locker the other day its a ship captain smoking a pipe i have seen it on ebay the guy is asking 1800$. I want to sell mine it appears to be in good shape i just dont know anything about paintings what to look for or otherwise any help would be appreciated. I would call u or u could call me, where do u look to see what copy it is original, it looks just like the one on ebay so did he paint the same painting over an over sorry just not very knowledgable thanks for your help.
I recently purchased what I think is a Pelbam painting. It is a beach scene with a fence and a dune. It is done in pale ivory and greens. The signature starts with a D in brown the the elbam is done in a dark grey. Is this the way he signs his stuff or did I just make this up? Please let me know
I amnot aware ofthis pattern for the signature.
i just purchased my rabbi at my local goodwill for$ 15.the first thing i noticed is his eyes.beautiful blue,and they follow you. he was there about a week, and i had noticed right away that there was something about this painting.i am am one of the stores regulars,no one seemed to want him, .his price kept going down, and i was in the store 3 days in a row and i said ,i think he is waiting for me and i bought him. any ideas on what he is worth?he hangs in a great spot now in my den.
I have an old oil painting of a ship’s captain, by David Pelbam. I would like to know it’s value if anyone can help..
It is about 10 x 12″
Thank You
Wanda Dean
I also have Pelbam paintings. One I got from my former brother in law when he passed away. It is of a sea captain. This painting came to me from Seattle, WA and was bought prior to 1988. The other painting is a large painting over my mantle. My mother in law had bought it at a yard sale. It is of Notre Dam. It was bought prior to 1996. Both are originals. I will not part with them being that I have 2 by same artist.
David Pelbam is one of the top portrait artists in the world! Hang on to your paintings because they are going up in price everyday. I own a beautiful Captain! It is my favorite painting! He had so much talent, right up there with the best in the world! His works are one of a kind, with the eyes following you wherever you go!
I have a painting which looks like oil signed by Pelbam. It is 20 by 24 of an old man of the sea, standing or siting on a pilot boat, wearing a black rain coat and sea hat, has a gray beard smoking a stem pipe, his face is weather Beaton , has piercing eyes. The sea is dreary and rough and their is at least five sail ship to his left in the background. Anyone know anything about it?
Bob
I recently purchased a David Pelbam painting of a beautiful forest , 46″x 26″,how do I find its value ?
I have a large oil painting of the sea captain with a pipe and a ship on the foreground
it is not signed by Pelbam but it reads d duemong. Any idea of its value and origin?
My father reciently died about 3 weeks ago and two days ago a good friend was cleaning out his garage and came across a David pelbam original oil. Complete with a certificate of authenticity. What is the real weird thing about this oil is its a dead ringer of my late father. Before he died he had let his beard grow and I’m telling you along with my friend and me everyone that saw him with his beard were totally freaked out . I hung it behind where my father sat and it seems to follow you everywhere you go in the room it’s called the alpine man and the signature is a dead ringer. It’s about 10″ ×12″ green blazer green hat with a feather red scarf and piercing eyes. I’m going to cherish it however I would like to know it’s value can anybody help?
I JUST BOUGHT A PAINTING OF AN TIROLEAN GENT SIGNED BY DAVID PELBAM FOR 29.00 AND SHHIPPING DO YOU THINK IT IS WORTH THAT MUCH OR MORE?? ON EBAY
I just bought a Pelbam oil painting of a sea captain,from an antiques shop in a small town in New Zealand. I liked it the minute I walked into the shop and luckily my
husband did too when I took him back there. It’s now in our lounge and
is my new favourite piece of art. My captain has a pipe in his mouth, is standing on a ship, with another ship in the background. Entrancing. My children would like it to be their great grandfather, we’ll go with that!
I live in limerick Ireland and I have a David Pelbam Painting it was giving to my mother over 35 years ago by an uncle of mine who lived in long island New York he had it for 20 years he got it from his wife’s aunt who bough it at auction 10 years before just wondering was it worth any money.its part of the family and love the painting its an old man white beard and pipe signed pelbam
Cheers
billy.mcinerney@ul.ie