Zvi Raphaeli beautifully depicted ultraorthodox neighborhood Mea Shearim. Its name means hundredfold. To be precise, it comes from the quote “Isaac sowed in that land, and in that year, he reaped a hundredfold (מאה שערים, mea shearim); God had blessed him”. Especially, the impressionistic painting shows a vibrant busy street full of people buying and selling goods. Images of the residents blur and merge with the environment. Besides, the main ochre together with shades of bright colors transmit calm mood in the middle of buzzing crowd, the unique feeling usually arising at the eastern markets.
Over the years Zvi Raphaeli,
changed and developed his unique style. He depicted mostly Israeli street scenes, Jewish life and festivities. Besides, the painter had the spiritual career and in 1960 he was sent to Italy, for three years of service as a rabbi.
The artist frequently used impasto technique in his oil on canvas paintings. Impressionistic, but, also, unusual style of the painter drew the attention of critics. Among others, Austrian born Israeli art critic Theodore F. Meisels described the art of Raphaeli in The Jerusalem Post: “Still, one should watch out; Should Raphaeli, who behind his beard is far younger than he looks, ever attempt to harmonize his two worlds, then this genuine painting ‘Chassid’ could develop into an Israeli Chagall…”
You can find a large selection of works created by Zvi Raphaeli in Kings Gallery. Moreover, take a look at another depiction of the street of the Holy City by the artist.
In addition,
Check our blog about art by Ora Nissim, as she grow up in the district of Mea Shearim and sang its beauty.
Kings Gallery is a leading fine art gallery established in Jerusalem in 1995. With over 20 years of experience, we strive to collect and sell the highest quality historic and contemporary Israeli and International art. The gallery specializes on artists from the early period of the 1920’s. We have a large variety of original works and lithographs by leading Jewish, Israeli, and international artists. In addition, Kings Gallery features leading up-and-coming young artists who will definitely be prominent names in the next few years.
