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Rubin, Reuven (1893-1974)
Artist
Although born in Rumania and trained in art in Paris and Rumania, Reuven
Rubin in many ways is a distinctly and distinctively Israeli artist. He
studied briefly at the Bezalel School of Art in Jerusalem, and he exhibited
in the first art exhibitions in Jerusalem in 1922. His exhibit of 1924
was the first one-man show in the Jerusalem exhibits, and his one-man
show in 1932 launched the Tel Aviv Art Museum. He designed scenery for
Habimah, Israel's National Theater, and Rubin was one of the first Israeli
artists to achieve international recognition.
Most important, though, was Rubin's attempt to create an indigenous
style of art. Influenced heavily by the work of Henri Rousseau, he sought
to fuse this style with Eastern nuances. Hence his custom of signing his
first name in Hebrew and his surname in Roman letters. Among Rubin's most
memorable works are his paintings of the Yishuv, particularly his landscapes
and his paintings of the Israeli worker. Biblical themes also occur frequently
in his work. His work was extremely popular both at home and abroad, and
if his later work was less complex and profound than his earlier productions,
it did not lessen his popularity.
Rubin served as Israel's first ambassador to Rumania, from 1948-1950.
His autobiography, My Life--My Art, was published in 1969, and he received
the Israel Prize in 1973 for his artistic achievement.
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