In the realm of 20th-century Israeli art, few figures loom as gracefully as Anna Ticho. While she is perhaps most famous for her sweeping, monumental drawings of the Judean Hills, her portraiture offers a more intimate, psychological entry point into the diverse human landscape of old Jerusalem. One such striking example is her “Woman Portrait,” a masterful watercolor on paper measuring 47 x 30 cm.
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The Legacy of Anna Ticho
Anna Ticho (1894–1980) arrived in Jerusalem from Vienna in 1912. Working alongside her husband, the renowned ophthalmologist Dr. Abraham Albert Ticho, she spent her days in their clinic—now the iconic Ticho House—interacting with a cross-section of the city’s population. This immersion allowed her to observe the faces of Jerusalem with a clinical eye for detail and an artist’s heart for empathy.
While her early work was often characterized by precise, almost botanical detail, her later pieces, like this watercolor portrait, transitioned into a more fluid, expressive style.
The Portrait
In this specific watercolor on paper, Ticho captures a woman whose presence is both grounded and ethereal.
The woman is depicted in a three-quarter view, looking slightly away from the viewer. This choice creates a sense of interiority. Her clothing, rendered in soft washes of blue, green, and earthy reds, suggests a specific cultural heritage, likely reflecting the diverse communities Ticho encountered in the Old City.
The Mastery of Watercolor Technique
Ticho’s use of watercolor here is exceptionally sophisticated. She balances structured, dark linework around the eyes and hair with “bleeding” washes of color on the garment.
The underdrawing line provides the skeletal structure, giving the face a firm, unmistakable character. The watercolor is applied with a light touch, allowing the texture of the paper to breathe through. This creates a luminous quality that is difficult to achieve with heavier mediums like oil. The muted tones are synonymous with the light of the Levant – bright yet dusty, vibrant yet ancient.
The Intersection of Identity and Art
In the mid-20th century, many artists sought to define “Israeli-ness” through heroic or pastoral imagery. Ticho, however, stayed true to the individual.
The loose, almost sketchy quality of the lower half of the painting draws all focus to the woman’s face and hands.
For collectors and art historians, this Anna Ticho watercolor represents a bridge between European technical training and the raw, spiritual energy of the Middle East.
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 in artists from the early period of the 1920’s. In addition, Kings Gallery features leading up-and-coming young artists who will definitely be prominent names in the next few years.