Born in Vienna in 1920, Josl Bergner studied in Poland where he became a teacher of traditional Jewish art. Fleeing Nazism, he arrived in Australia in 1937 and soon became a leader of the social-realist group within the contemporary art group. He served with the army during World War ll and later gained a scholarship to the National Gallery School, Melbourne. However, after a disagreement with the painting master, William Dargie the scholarship was terminated. Bergner moved to Israel in 1950 and has become a leading abstract painter.
Yosl Bergner is one of the most prolific of the artists listed in our database, with the number of works offered for sale by auction since 1972 of 596, of which 307 (52%) were sold. The highest price recorded for the artist is $79,773 for The last supper sold by Menzies in November 2022. This year one work has been offered for sale. Works by Yosl Bergner are held by the National Gallery of Victoria, Geelong Gallery and a further five major public national galleries (see list below).
Yosl Bergner is listed in the following standard biographical references:
Could the second and subsequent works by this artist sold after June 9, 2010 for over $1,000 be liable for the Artists' Resale Royalty? More info…
Yes, eligible, subject to the artist satisfying the residency test. The artist is alive or has been deceased for less than 70 years. Contact the Copyright Agency for information on the residency test.
The Australian Art Sales Digest is a database of over 610,000 works by more than 12,000 artists who are listed as having either lived or worked in Australia or New Zealand, and an additional 36,000 foreign and other artists, offered for sale by auction in Australia and New Zealand from the early 1970s to the present day.
Access to the database is available on either a monthly or annual subscription. During the subscription period you have unlimited access to the site. If you would like to subscribe, please proceed to our Subscription Form.