Joseph Pressmane studied at the Beaux-Arts of Lvov and Warsaw. In 1927, he arrived in Paris where his goal was to see some works of Cézanne. After being granted French citizenship, he worked at the Ranson Academy with Roger Bissière and became imbued with the French masters by going to see their works at the Louvre every Sunday.

In 1932, he met Zborowski who purchased from him several paintings but who died shortly after the contract was signed. He exhibited his paintings in several Parisian exhibitions, thus acquiring some fame and gaining the support of Baroness Alix de Rotschild. Nevertheless, Pressmane went through difficult periods in regard to money and needed to work as a house painter ...