Jerusalem in Art: From the Ideal to the Real

 For centuries, Jerusalem was depicted as an ideal city, imagined through the prism of religious concepts of "Celestial Jerusalem". It was a clean ancient city, the backdrop of Biblical scenes.

It is only since the mid-19th century, that we start to see images of the real Jerusalem – even these early works are somewhat romanticized. As we move into the 20th century, with the creation of the State of Israel, things become more gritty and real: depictions of poverty and decay contrast with the beauty and light of the city. Jerusalem as a real place in all its glory and all its conflict. 

Timna Seligman, Senior Curator of Ticho House, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem. 

The Beit Avi Chai Library | Approx. 60-minutes

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