This painting is partly inspired by the poem by Jorge Luis Borges. Excerpts :

“Like golden mist, the west lights up the window…..

A man engenders God. He is a Jew

Of sad eyes and citrine skin….”

Spinoza time travels 300 years across the canvas. He is in conversation with Einstein, with whom he shares a deep affinity. Finally, someone who understands his spiritual and scientific philosophy.

Spinoza emerges from a restrictive environment and goes forward a free man of reason.

Toby Turkel is a New York City based artist who uses oils, watercolors, collage and photography.

She has exhibited in New York city in exhibitions curated by Il Chiostro, the Jewish Art Salon ( New York and Amsterdam) , and the Manhattan Borough President’s office. Mostly self taught, in recent years she has attended art workshops in Tuscany and Umbria and is currently enrolled in the New York Academy of Art. Her teacher John Wellington introduced her to the beauty and value of copying Vermeers.