Szyk (pronounced Shick) has been called the greatest 20th century master illuminator in the tradition of the 16th century miniaturist painters. He was born in Lodz, Poland, studied art in Paris and Krakow, visited Jewish settlements in Palestine in 1913-14 and then served in WWI in the Russian Army. He and his family then moved to Paris from where he traveled extensively for inspiration and exhibitions. He immingrated to America in 1940 where the U.S. media hailed him as a 'one-man army' against Hitler and fascism. His work includes book illustrations, political cartoons and posters, paintings, ritual art and more.