Erno Erb
1878 - 1943

Erno Erb was probably a self-taught artist. In Lvov he conducted a "painting workshop" in Hausman's Passage, executing paintings, decorations and theatrical costumes. He also made wall paintings in synagogues. He lived for some time in Truskawiec. The Nazis murdered the artist at the Janów Camp in Lvov.

He is regarded, as well as Marcin Kitz, the most popular artist in Lvov during the inter-war period. His pictures were reproduced as postcards. Critics noted the influence of German impressionism on his painting style, pointing out particular affinities with the art of Max Liebermann. He primarily used oils, but also produced some pastels. Genre scenes with vendors predominate in his numerous views of Lvov. He also painted landscapes, seascapes, still lifes and portraits of Ukrainian peasants and Jews. His work sometimes approached divisionism in his use of freely applied, thick brush marks. In general, his paintings are luminous and include rich textures, synthetically treated forms, and distinct chromatic contrasts.

His debut took place in 1920 at the First Exhibition of Jewish Art organized by the Circle of Jewish Art Lovers in Lvov. Later, he displayed his works at the Lvovian and Krakovian branches of TPSP (Society of Friends of Fine Arts) and also at the Warsaw TZSP (Society for Encouragement of the Fine Arts). He participated, as a non-member in the General Nationwide Exhibition in Poznań (1929), as well as an exhibition of Polish art in Buffalo, NY (1932).

-- Artur Tanikowski

Works in the collection: