Nissan Engel was born in Haifa, Israel. He studied at Beaux-Arts Bezalel, in Jerusalem. Engel left Israel and began showing his artwork in Paris. From Paris he moved to New York where he discovered abstract expressionism. Because he was knowledgeable of Biblical Symbols and Hebrew he was commissioned to make a series of stained –glass windows for several synagogues. Ultimately Nissan returned to Paris where he draws most of his artistic inspiration.