Four Goats – Illustrations by Uriel Kahana – Warsaw, 1922

Four Goats – Illustrations by Uriel Kahana – Warsaw, 1922
Four Goats. Composed by Benzion Raskin, illustrated by Uriel Kahana. Poland [Warsaw]: "Tarbut". 1922.
Story for children, illustrated by the artist and architect Uriel Kahana (1903-1965) who made aliya to Eretz Israel one year following the publication of this booklet. In the 1930s Kahana was invited to work with Erich Mendelsohn in his office in Jerusalem. Afterwards he opened an office in Tel-Aviv. [1], 20, [1] pp, 20.5X25.5 cm. Good condition. Minor Stains. Tears at borders of cover.
"Uriel Kahana, a brilliant illustrator, close in style to Lissitzky and Tchaikov…describes a scary wolf, standing in a threatening pose, exposing sharp teeth and with shining eyes. The strong body is transferred by using dark stains while the goats are portrayed in a gentle and fragile line. The story is repetitious, as typical of folk tales and adequate for kindergarten children, thus, every time that the wolf is threatening again, it is the same intimidating wolf, the same illustration. In the end, when the wolf dies, the script "falls" in a diagonal line with the wolf… The book is outstanding from an artistic point of view and incorporates in a sophisticated way elements of folk art with cubist characteristics and humor with an expressive outlook". (From: Ayala Gordon, Jewish Illustrations – Illustrated Jewish Books for Children, Tel-Aviv, [2005 ] p.85).