Auerbach was a close contemporary and friend of Kossoff who similarly built up thick impasto layers of oil paint in gestural portrait heads, creating works of intense psychological presence and raw expressionist energy that mirror the approach seen in Head of Chaim.

Freud shared Kossoff's commitment to deeply observed figurative portraiture rendered with painterly urgency, often focusing on the psychological and physical weight of his subjects in ways that resonate strongly with this expressive portrait head.

Soutine was a direct influence on Kossoff and similarly employed turbulent, gestural brushwork and distorted figuration in emotionally charged portrait works, making his expressionist approach closely aligned with the handling and mood of Head of Chaim.