Anna Ticho (1894–1980) holds a central place in the history of Israeli art, particularly through her sustained focus on the Jerusalem landscape. Har Zion 1936, a pencil drawing on paper measuring 30 × 20 cm, reflects her precise and contemplative approach to nature. The work demonstrates her ability to transform observation into a quiet yet rigorous visual statement.
Anna Ticho arrived in Jerusalem from Austria in 1912, alongside her husband, Dr. Avraham Albert Ticho. He would become one of the city’s most beloved eye doctors. She, over time, would become one of Israel’s most cherished artists.
Their home, now known as the Ticho House, sat near the edge of the Old City. It was here that Anna fell in love—with the land, the light, and the long, sloping hills. As her husband treated patients, Anna wandered the hills with sketchbooks in hand. She returned again and again, capturing the same vistas in different moods and seasons.
Landscape
The drawing presents Mount Zion as a structured and grounded presence. Ticho avoids dramatic contrasts. Instead, she builds the landscape through fine lines and gradual tonal shifts. The hillside unfolds slowly across the surface, guiding the viewer’s eye through subtle variations in texture and depth. As a result, the composition feels stable and meditative.
At the same time, the absence of human figures directs full attention to the land itself. Ticho treats the landscape as a subject rather than a background. She records its contours with discipline and restraint. Each line serves a descriptive purpose, yet together they create a unified and balanced whole. This method reflects her belief in close observation and sustained engagement with place.
Pencil drawing
Moreover, the use of pencil emphasizes control and clarity. Ticho relies on drawing rather than color to articulate form. Through repetition of line and careful shading, she suggests distance and elevation without exaggeration. Consequently, the work conveys a strong sense of physical reality while maintaining emotional quiet.
From an art historical perspective, Har Zion 1936 belongs to a body of works in which Ticho documented the Jerusalem hills during the British Mandate period. These drawings hold both artistic and historical value.
Importantly, this work offers collectors a rare opportunity to acquire an original drawing by Anna Ticho from an early and significant period of her career. Available through King’s Gallery Jerusalem, Har Zion 1936 appeals to both private collectors and institutions interested in Israeli art.
Our collection
Kings Gallery is a leading fine art gallery established in Jerusalem in 1995. We strive to collect and sell the highest quality historic and contemporary Israeli and International art. The gallery specializes primarily in artists from the early period of the 1920’s. Besides, Kings Gallery features leading up-and-coming young artists who will definitely be prominent names in the next few years.
