A popular Hungarian Expressionist painter who flourished in the 40s and 50s, Viktor Rafael was known for his bold, colorful, and vibrant portraits and landscapes. A precocious talent, he began exhibiting at a young age and received numerous prestigious awards, including scholarships to Munich and Rome. An inveterate traveler, Rafael worked in Germany, Italy and France and also spent considerable time in Beirut and Baghdad (where he worked on the restoration of the Royal Palace).