Joseph Morris Raphael (1869-1950) 'Portrait of... Lot 24

Joseph Morris Raphael (1869-1950) 'Portrait of Johanna Frederika Jantina Blok-Rinke (1901-1957)', signed lower right, canvas. H. 76 cm. W. 54 cm. Madam Blok-Rinke was married to Arie Marie Blok (1900-1945), Raphael's psychiatrist, who received the painting as payment for a treatment around 1935. They lived in The Hague, The Netherlands. Johanna was the daughter of Jan Rinke (1863-1922), an artist who designed 'Pietje Bell', a famous character in Dutch children's books, movies and a musical. 'Jos Raphael is one of the best artists California has produced', in: 'News of art and artists', The San Francisco Call, Sunday, July 20, 1913. Raphael was an American Impressionist painter who went to Paris in 1903. After his study he settled in Laren, The Netherlands. Because he was Jewish, he returned to San Francisco in 1939. Especially his colourful garden- and orchard views were sold for considerable amounts, for example 'Tea in the orchard' was sold for $ 440.000 (hammer price) in 2019.