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Lot Essay
Born in Czechoslovakia, Ludwig Blum settled in Israel In 1923. He exhibited frequently, both in Israel and abroad, with one of his 'Jerusalem' paintings receiving special mention at the Royal Academy, London in 1933.
The artist's settling in Jerusalem gave new direction to his work. The atmosphere of the orient, the strong colors and the life of the bazaar were absorbed and mastered: the age-old alleys of the Old City, the walls of Jerusalem as seen from the Mount of Olives and the mountains of Moab for an ever-recurrent theme.
This painting dates from the period surrounding Israel's struggle for independence. After his son fell in action with the Palmach, the painter and his wife became active members of the Home Guard, without interruption to his work. Blum became a front line painter; the war in Jerusalem and in the Negev, the fighters, the whole struggle of renascent Israel, have all been represented by his vivid brush.
After the Establishment of the State, the Old City is replaced by the streets and markets of Mea Shearim and other views of the New Town and all of Israel from Tiberias to Eilat appear before us. In 1967, Blum received the honorary reward of "Yakir Yerushalayim" for his artistic tribute to the city. Blum occupies a central place among the masters of the state of Israel. His works are found in museums and private collections around the world.
The artist's settling in Jerusalem gave new direction to his work. The atmosphere of the orient, the strong colors and the life of the bazaar were absorbed and mastered: the age-old alleys of the Old City, the walls of Jerusalem as seen from the Mount of Olives and the mountains of Moab for an ever-recurrent theme.
This painting dates from the period surrounding Israel's struggle for independence. After his son fell in action with the Palmach, the painter and his wife became active members of the Home Guard, without interruption to his work. Blum became a front line painter; the war in Jerusalem and in the Negev, the fighters, the whole struggle of renascent Israel, have all been represented by his vivid brush.
After the Establishment of the State, the Old City is replaced by the streets and markets of Mea Shearim and other views of the New Town and all of Israel from Tiberias to Eilat appear before us. In 1967, Blum received the honorary reward of "Yakir Yerushalayim" for his artistic tribute to the city. Blum occupies a central place among the masters of the state of Israel. His works are found in museums and private collections around the world.