Israel Biderman-Izzy – a French artist from Marijampolė

There were a lot of photographers of Jewish origin in Marijampolė, who took photographs of the moments of family life and town events. It would not be an overestimation to assume that there was a kind of photography school in Marijampolė where more experienced photographers shared their knowledge with the young ones and the latter, being extremely creative and talented, sought international acknowledgement outside Marijampolė.

One of the most significant people, who influenced the development of  photography in Marijampolė and also was the teacher of many photographers, was Moses Buchalter (1868-1941). After finishing Marijampolė gymnasium, he had the opportunity to learn in a famous Vilnius Art School named after its head and main teacher Ivan Trutnev (1827-1912). It is believable that learning in Vilnius, Buchalter got the first glimpse on photography and developed an interest in it.  He came back to Marijampolė around 1890 and opened a studio here. He worked not only in his studio, mainly with portraits, but also took photographs in the town and neighbouring places. The photographer was noticed among foreign professionals and the critics of photography art and he was awarded The Great Golden Medal and The Cross of Honour for his works in Milan exhibition in 1909. Moses Buchalter was the Teacher of many photographers, however, undoubtedly, one of his most famous students was world-famous photo artist Israel Biderman-Izzy (1911-1980). He is usually considered as a French photo artist, however, he is from Marijampolė. He was born in a poor family with four children (the family was killed during the Holocaust in Marijampolė and Kaunas). Being 13, he quit school and started learning photography (though his father wanted him to become a woodworker) in Buchalter‘s studio in Marijampolė. After gaining necessary skills Israel Biderman started to work as a photographer in Marijampolė and also took photographs travelling around Lithuania.

At the age of 19, he left for Paris, which was his dream. Though he did not have any documents and money to live on, he soon became a real professional, was noticed and acknowledged. His inspiration were landscapes, cities, people, his photographs depicted famous people of that time and ordinary people having photography-specific features. In 1946 Izzy had his first personal exhibition in La Boétie gallery in Paris and one more, after four years. The exhibitions made him world-famous and Israel Biderman became Izzy (officially he used a name and surname with Lithuanian endings and no shortenings). He signed this name on his works which were exhibited  in the world-famous galleries together with the works of other significant photographers of the second half of the 20th century.

Photographer Izzy was not known for a long time in Marijampolė and Lithuania. January 17, 2021 was the centenary of the photographer‘s birth.