Fine Art by
BARBARA MENDES
Los Angeles, California  
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EPIC PAINTINGS
“Torah is meant to be a light to the nations;
these paintings are  attempts to
reveal and to glory in that light.”
 
--Barbara Mendes
View details of all the Epic paintings
Epic paintings for sale

“Geulah” 
68" x 68" - oil,  2002
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    The recently completed (68”x68”, 2002) oil painting “Geulah”, shows the Day of Redemption, when the Messiah comes. We see the golden Third Temple, in place in modern Jerusalem, in a circle filled with images of Israel. We see the Ingathering of the Exiles; flying into the circle from the bottom in whole congregations aboard many-winged airplanes and plants. From the top of the painting, Heros of the Torah Return from the Dead, aboard chariots pulled by tiny horses, to also arrive on that Day.   
           
    For description of “Geulah”, including personal details and extra details about
    The Third Temple,
    order the new book, “Epic Paintings”.


    “Geulah” is available in hand-signed lithographs and greeting cards .
     


 

“Entering the Land”
43" x 43" - oil,  2000
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    The oil painting (43”x43”,2000) “Entering the Land” shows the moment when Moses learns he will not be allowed to enter the land of Israel. He climbs a mountain to gaze upon the Land, seeing all of Jewish history unfold before him. He sees the Tribes of Israel enter and dwell in the Land, and serve the Temple, and then the destruction of the Temple, leading to the period of Exile that continues into the present, represented by vehicles and structures in modern Los Angeles. At the very top of the painting, the Messiah arrives and the third Temple is built, bringing the story forseen by Moses into the future.

    For full description of “Entering the Land”,
    order the new book, “Epic Paintings”.


    “Entering the Land” is available in hand-signed lithographs and
    greeting cards.
     

 


 

“Olam Ha Zeh” (This World)
66" x 50" - oil,  2000
SOLD
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    Olam ha Zeh” (This World) (68”x50”, 1998, oil) celebrates the activities of Orthodox women, set in the midst of the teeming modern world. A lattice structure frames vignettes of women caring for families, entertaining, learning, praying, and celebrating. Around this structure swirl slabs on which grow buildings and whole scenes from the complex world which exisits alongside the Jewish community in “Olam ha Zeh,” this world.

    For full description of “Olam Ha Zeh”,
    order the new book, “Epic Paintings”.
    “Olam Ha Zeh” is available in greeting cards

     

 


 

“Dona Gracia Mendes”
96" x 68" - oil, 1998
SOLD
Details of this painting

This painting is on permanent public display.
Collection of Adolph and Rose Levis,
JCC Boca Raton, Fla.
 

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    The 96”x68” oil painting “Dona Gracia Mendes” (1998) celebrates the woman who helped Jews escape from the Spanish Inquisition.. A towering figure of Dona Gracia dominates the painting. Behind the figure stretches the map of Europe, showing Jews being burned at the stake in Spain and escaping by land and sea, with the stops of the Mendes family and other Jews indicated by red dots. Surrounding the figure, a banner represents the Torah that inspires the Jewish people, containing tiny depictions of many timeless and beloved stories . On both sides of the figure, vignettes answer the questions, “Why were these people being burned at the stake? What do Jewish people do?” To the left, Jewish men pray three times a day, carry the Torah scroll, study, and teach. To the right, Jewish women and families prepare festive foods, care for children, and celebrate the beautiful rituals of Shabbat together.

    For full description of “Dona Gracia Mendes”
    order the new book, “Epic Paintings”.

    “Dona Gracia Mendes” is available in hand-signed lithographs and greeting cards.

     


 

“Beresheit” (In the Beginning)
5’ x 18’ - oil, 1996
SOLD
Details of this painting

This painting is on permanent public display.
Collection of Adolph and Rose Levis,
JCC Boca Raton, Fla
 

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    The “Beresheit
    ” mural-on-canvas, (5’x18’, oil, 1996), portrays every single event in the Book of Beresheit (the Book of Genesis).The painting features six large boxes containing the Hebrew letters of the word “Beresheit” (“In the Beginning”), with scenes from the Six Days of Creation. Surrounding the boxes is an area filled with symbols of the Seventh Day of Creation, Shabbat. Around this, an intricate border is divided into twelve sections, each containing Hebrew name and tiny pictures of every event in each of the twelve “parashas”, or portions, of the book of Beresheit, which are read aloud each week in the Synagogue. Our NEW BOOK, “Epic Paintings”, tells all the stories contained in all twelve sections.

    For a six-page description of “Beresheit”, order the new book, “Epic Paintings”

    “Beresheit” is available in
    hand-signed lithographs, posters and greeting cards.
     


 

“Shekhina Comes I”
79" x 50" - oil,  1995
SOLD
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    Shekhina Comes I”, ( 79”x50”, oil, 1995) portrays the period when the artist felt the “Shekhina”, the Presence of G*d, entering her life. The paintings show the symbolic growth of the artist’s spirit, with scenes of discovery taking place in classes at the Yeshiva of Los Angeles Adult Program, and at Shabbat tables where families shared the beautiful and appealing customs and warmth of Judaism’s Holy day with the artist.


    For full description of “Shekhina Comes I”, order the new book, “Epic Paintings”

    “Shekhina Comes I, II and III” (tryptych) is available in greeting cards

     


 

“Shekhina Comes III”
79" x 50" - oil,  1996
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    Shekhina Comes III, (79”x50”, oil, 1996) continues the story of the Artist feeling the Shekhina, or Presence of G*d, enter her life. There is more growth and learning shown in four outer diamonds. The story of Elijah withholding rain from the earth is included in a large central diamond shape, surrounding a bird’s eye view of the artist’s route from home to the Yeshiva of Los Angeles. A cental figure strides through the painting with Eden in her dress, holding a growing plant.

    For full description of “Shekhina Comes III”,
    order the new book, “Epic Paintings”

    “Shekhina Comes I, II and III” (tryptych) is available in greeting cards
     


 

“Autobiography”
96" x 68" - oil,  1994
Collector inquiry
 

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    Autobiography” (96”x68”, oil, 1994), tells the story of the artist’s life, from birth until 1994, from Coast to Coast, through the events of life with art following everywhere. Near the bottom are events which led to the artist becoming a “Balat Teshuva”, or one who has Returned. (to Torah.) The large central figure shows the artist in 1972 in the woods of Oregon with two healthy babies, just before her oldest daughter was diagnosed with brain cancer. This child’s decline and care, along with her miraculous survival, form many scenes in the painting’s narrative, which reads from the top, back and forth all down the picture. All the stories embedded in the painting are revealed in the NEW BOOK, “Epic Paintings”.

    For full description of “Autobiography”, order the new book, “Epic Paintings”

    “Autobiography” is available in hand-signed lithographs and
    greeting cards.
     


 

“Change Gonna Come”
Two panels, 40" x 68" each - oil,  1994
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    The diptych “Change Gonna Come”, (each panel 40”x68”, oil, 1994), deals with poverty and homelessness in Los Angeles and the world. It’s meanings are explained in detail in the NEW BOOK “Epic Paintings”.

    For full description of “Change Gonna Come”,
    order the new book, “Epic Paintings”

    “Change Gonna Come” is available in a poster  
     


 

“Utopia”
68" x 68” - oil,  1993
Collector inquiry
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    Utopia”, (68”x68”, oil, 1993), features a towering woman in a glowing hat, symbolizing the peace and joy felt in coming into contact with Jewish customs and beliefs for the first time, as an adult. Behind the figure are streets which contain scenes of encountering Judaism in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood of Los Angeles, as well as personal and fantasy life. The streets are bordered by mountains and fantasy creatures, symbolizing buzzing thoughts of the era.

    For full description of “Utopia”,
    order the new book, “Epic Paintings”

    “Utopia” is available in
    hand-signed lithographs and greeting cards .
     


 

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