How Zionist artists explored their Jewish identity

Jewish artists in the Zionist movement sought to revive both the Jewish State and Jewish culture.

Meet E. M. Lilien, who befriended Herzl and depicted the merger of ancient and modern, Boris Shatz, who metaphorically met the Bezalel of the Bible, Ze’ev Raban, who drew the now ironic Visit Palestine posters, Abel Pann, who re-envisioned the Patriarchs and Matriarchs as exotic Mediterranean figures, Moshe Castel whose Hebron roots inspired him, Yudel Pen, the father of the Jewish Renaissance, and Marc Chagall, whose imagined new interpretations of the prophets.

Plus, non-Jewish artists whose works could be described as “Jewish” such as James Tissot, Rembrandt, and Börries von Münchhausen who turned from Zionist to Nazi.

What is Jewish art? What did Abraham look like? And do Jewish artists draw him “Jewish” enough? Find out in this journey through the early years of the Israeli art revival.

Boris Shatz meets Bezalel from the Bible, by Ze’ev Raban.

Pesach, by E. M. Lilien

One of Ze’ev Raban’s many visit Palestine posters.

Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah by Abel Pann

Theodor Herzl, Basel, 1901. Credit: E. M. Lilien

NOTES:

• Ephraim Moshe Lilien: “The First Zionist Artist”

• Revealed After 100 Years: Abel Pann’s Showpiece Portrait

• Yehuda Penn

• The Son and the Stranger: E.M. Lilien, Börries von Münchhausen, and Juda (1900)

• James Tissot’s Journey to the Jewish Museum

• Rembrandt Van Rijn and the Jews

• Baruch Nachshon

• Moshe Castel Museum