A Personal Artwork for Jerusalem’s Mayor
This distinctive work by French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle combines an imaginative drawing with a personal handwritten message addressed to Teddy Kollek, the longtime mayor of Jerusalem. Measuring 23 × 31 cm, the sheet brings together an illustrated composition, decorative lettering, and a handwritten New Year greeting. More than a standalone drawing, it offers a glimpse into the personal and creative correspondence between the artist and one of Jerusalem’s most influential cultural figures.
Table of Contents
At the centre of the sheet is an illustration titled The Combat of the Dragons. Two fantastical creatures face one another against a mountainous landscape, with a sun appearing above the horizon. The artist frames the scene with an elaborate ornamental border featuring colourful abstract and floral motifs. Moreover, the decorative lettering of the title and greeting gives the page the character of an illustrated storybook or a specially designed greeting card.
The Drawing and Its Message
The handwritten message begins, “Dear Teddy, Happy New Year!” and continues with a personal letter. De Saint Phalle refers to receiving good news from Ruth and mentions her promise to make a model of Noah’s Ark. She also discusses animals prepared for a maquette and asks about the progress of the work.
These references are particularly interesting in light of the artist’s later project for Jerusalem: Noah’s Ark, a sculpture garden created in collaboration with Swiss architect Mario Botta for the city’s Biblical Zoo. Developed between 1995 and 2001, the project brought together a group of imaginative animal sculptures designed by de Saint Phalle. The letter’s mention of an ark and animal models therefore provides a compelling connection to this important Jerusalem commission.
The drawing itself combines pencil work with coloured details. De Saint Phalle uses expressive outlines, stylised figures, and bright areas of colour to create a lively scene. Furthermore, the ornamental frame and playful lettering connect the illustration with her broader interest in combining images, words, and decorative forms.
Niki de Saint Phalle and Jerusalem
Niki de Saint Phalle (1930–2002) was a French-American artist whose multidisciplinary practice included painting, sculpture, assemblage, printmaking, and large-scale public projects. She became internationally known for her colourful Nanas and for imaginative sculptural environments that often invited public interaction.
Her relationship with Jerusalem was especially significant. In 1972, she created The Golem, a monumental playground sculpture in the city’s Kiryat Hayovel neighbourhood, commissioned with the support of Teddy Kollek. Later, she returned to Jerusalem through the Noah’s Ark project, developing a series of fantastical animal sculptures for the Biblical Zoo.
Kollek played an important role in supporting public art and cultural projects in Jerusalem. Consequently, this personal greeting reflects a relationship that extended beyond a single commission and brought together artistic imagination, friendship, and the cultural life of the city.
Discover the Artwork at Kings Gallery
This 23 × 31 cm work by Niki de Saint Phalle combines The Combat of the Dragons, a New Year greeting, and a handwritten message to Teddy Kollek. Its personal character and reference to the Noah’s Ark project make it an especially interesting document of the artist’s connection with Jerusalem.
For further information about this artwork, please contact Kings Gallery.
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