Virgo

In Virgo, Kopel Gurwin presents a lyrical interpretation of the zodiac sign of the Maiden. At the center of the composition, a young woman sits gracefully against a deep black background, holding a slender flowering branch. Her gently inclined head, framed by vivid red and pink foliage, lends the figure a quiet, contemplative presence. Through simplified forms and expressive gestures, Gurwin transforms the familiar astrological symbol into a distinctive image of serenity and natural beauty.

The maiden’s flowing silhouette is composed of softly contrasting shades of turquoise, mint green, lavender, and pale violet. These delicate tones stand in striking contrast to the surrounding darkness, while the flowering branch introduces brighter accents of green and blue. The meticulous cutting and layering of felt give the composition its characteristic clarity, allowing each shape and color to contribute to the figure’s expressive presence.

An elaborate ornamental border encloses the central scene, its sweeping foliate forms rendered in saturated magenta, violet, and deep purple. Around its outer edge, a rhythmic procession of circular motifs in varying shades of blue and purple creates a sense of continuity and movement. The richly decorative frame establishes a visual dialogue between geometric repetition and organic invention, a recurring feature of Gurwin’s artistic language.

To the left of the maiden, the Hebrew inscription Mazal Betula is integrated into the composition in distinctive turquoise and green letterforms. Rather than functioning as a separate label, the lettering becomes an essential part of the visual arrangement, balancing the figure and reinforcing the work’s symbolic identity. Through his imaginative use of color, ornament, and hand-cut felt, Gurwin gives the sign of Virgo a poetic character that extends beyond conventional zodiac imagery.