DESCRIPTION: This striking 20 color, gold illuminated lithograph is rich in symbolism as is the style of the artist. Fruits of Israel, flowers and a Jerusalem house spill over the rim of a traditional wine cup to symbolize overflowing blessings for the Jewish home. Fruits from Israel indicate that just as the blessings which G-d gives to the Land of Israel are generous, so too, the blessings we receive should be abundant and without measure. In the center of the cup there is a tent with an open door, symbolic of the greatness of hospitality. The blessings that hospitality brings are represented by a well, which contains hidden wellsprings, and by four urns which are the vessels for drawing down blessings. The house on top of the cup, with Shabbat candles in its window, symbolizes the blessing of Peace.

ARTIST INFORMATION: : Today's renaissance of the traditional Jewish lifestyle has been accompanied by the blossoming of a multi-faceted Chasidic art movement. Michoel Muchnik, among the foremost Chassidic artists, has gained prominence with his joyfully imaginative renderings in acrylics, watercolors, and original lithographs. He frequently combines his delicate use of color and fine line work into a story book motif. Even at its most mystical, a Muchnik painting is inexplicably familiar.

Born in Philadelphia in 1952, Muchnik received his artistic training at Rhode Island School of Design. He later studied at the Rabbinical College of America, in Morristown, New Jersey.

Muchnik has staged exhibits of his original paintings, bas-relief mosaics and lithographs throughout the world. His originals have been displayed at the Brooklyn Museum, the Goldman Arts Gallery in Washington, D.C., Yeshiva University Museum in New York, Dansforth Museum in Massachusetts, the Sydney Jewish Museum and the Sharei Tzedek Collection in Israel.